An Apiary in South Carolina, Langstroth hives on pallets

An apiary (also known in the US as a bee yard) is a place where beehives of honeybees are kept. Traditionally beekeepers paid land rent in honey for the use of small parcels. Some farmers will provide free apiary sites, because they need pollination, and farmers who need many hives often pay for them to be moved to the crops when they bloom.

Size

For pollination, apiaries are rarely set up; the bees are only present during the bloom period of the crop. But in a few cases, such as for organic farms, long term apiaries are established, with the rule of thumb is one hive per acre of the crop that needs pollination. Depending on the nectar and pollen sources in a given area there is a maximum number of hives that can be placed in one apiary. If too many hives are placed into an apiary the hives compete with each other for scarce resources. This can lead to lower honey and pollen yields, higher transmission of disease and robbing.

Location

In the northern hemisphere, east and south facing locations with full morning sun are preferred. In hot climates shade is needed and may have to be artificially provided if trees are not present. Other factors include air and water drainage and accessibility by truck, distance from phobic people, and protection from vandalism.