How many frames for the bees?

[watercarving]

My TTBH will hold 30 medium size frames. How many frames should be left for the bees to over winter with? I'm in north Georgia.

Thanks,

[bassman1977]

If your TBH is anything like mine (24 inches wide by 12 inches deep), then I am planning on leaving about 16 bars with honey.  Basically my entire brood nest.  I estimate this to be about 2 ^1/2 to 2 ^3/4 medium boxes, which is what I leave on my langstroths (well, three boxes but you get the picture).  I would think that you won't need as much, but me being me, I would allow them their entire brood nest.

[watercarving]

How big is a typical broodnest in a medium? I will have 30 top bars in the hive if they are all in. I figured 20 would be enough for them but wasn't sure.

[Michael Bush]

Race has everything to do with how many they will need.  The frugal breeds (Russian, Carni, Caucasian) won't need nearly as much. The Buckfasts will need a bit more and the Italians will need all you can get them probably.  I just harvest through the end of the main flow (that would be about July or so) and don't harvest after that unless they are packed full of honey and bees.  Then I'd harvest gingerly trying to leave them the majority of it full of honey going into winter.

[watercarving]

They are from fatbeeman and I think they are Russians or some kind of mix with ferals. I'll ask him.

[whiteflyer]

watercarving,  what TTBH design did you build.

[watercarving]

http://www.johncall.com/blog/beekeeping-hives-are-ready/

It's made to hold medium frames. 42.5" long. Will hold 30 frames plus front and back spacers.