Good Afternoon, I have a couple of questions I hope someone can help me with: *I live in central lower Michigan in a rural area. Thankfully no city ordinances to deal with! At the request of a neighbor, I placed 3 hives, beginning with packages, adjacent to his garden. Recently I was told there are 4 large Basswood trees in the area. Can anyone tell me when Basswood bloom begins in this area. *I have two strong hives that came though the winter very well. I began feeding in January more as prophylaxis than necessity, I am beginning to think. One is Buckfast that was started from a package last year and produced 4 mediums in addition to drawing all of the comb in the hive and the supers. Last weekend was the first time I was able to examine the hive without the fear of chilling brood. There were a solid 3 frames plus larva and egg at that time. I have been contemplating splitting that hive to decrease the inclination to swarm. I have never done a split. My biggest concern is doing something wrong. Can anyone give me "Idiot Proof" instructions on this as in "Hive Splits For Dummies"? Thanks, Coleene