I?m in the White Mountains of Eastern AZ on the NM border at a little over 7000 ft. I?ve been keeping bees for 3 years now in top bar hives exclusively. Last year was the worst drought in over 25 years and of my 4 hives of Carnis I lost all but one.
But I?m not giving up! I?m getting packages this year with Russian queens and see how they do in our long winters. Our last frost is often in May, but I?ve seen a killing frost as late as June 15. Our first frost is usually around the first of October, but Ive seen a frost as early as Sept. 10. Very short growing seasons and very dry as a rule. Tough place to raise anything, including bees.