I purchased all plastic frames (pierco) and intend to introduce them by
replacing all frames in one hive body this year and the second next hive
body next year for every hive. I realize that the largest problem with bees
drawing the foundation is a good nectar flow and/or lots of sugar syrup.

Just wonder if it is a good idea to try and start early, well before nectar
but put on lots of sugar syrup, or just wait until just before they have
outside nectar sources? I am tending toward trying to get them going early
so I can keep fall honey out of the winter boxes, which means I want them to
be at least in one super by the end of clover.

I have pollen substitute also, to help things along.

We are in the middle of a weird spring. Maine is about three weeks ahead
with pollen already coming in from too early blooming trees and plants. So
the bees are active. We should get cold again, probably next week, and I was
going to start any supplemental feeding to get things going about two weeks
before maples bloomed. But could start now.

I have never tried to get things going early as they do just fine without my
help, but plastic may be another matter, especially to have one super with
honey by the end of clover.

In essence, how early is too early?

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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