When do you feel comfortable popping a top?

[Dallasbeek]

I don't know exactly where in sw Louisiana UrbisAgricola is located, but let's say somewvhere around Lake Charles.  The temperature in Lake Charles ranges from 32 tto 57 today.  So he should be able to safely put a mountain camp sugar fix on his hive today.  We're not talking about Montana, after all.  Cold to those of us living down south is balmy to some of you up nawth

[Michael Bush]

If I want to see if they need food I lift the edge of the hive.  I estimate the weight (it weighs twice what it feels like because the other side is still on the ground).  If it feels almost empty, I would give them dry sugar.  If not, I would leave them alone and not open it up.