The 8 Frame Hive is gaining popularity with many beekeepers because of its ease of manipulation, standardization of equipment, and increased success. In his new book, " The Backyard Beekeeper" , Kim Flottum describes the 8 Frame Medium hive as the "hive of the future" and this one is the finest you will ever find! With only one size super, frame, and foundation your beekeeping is greatly simplified. The first time you have to lift a full super you will never regret having switched to 8 Frame Medium hive.
Our beautiful A-line Copper Top will enhance any setting in which it is placed. Each English Garden Hive consists of an A-Line Copper Top, Cypress IPM Bottom Board, Inner Cover, 2 ea. Medium Cypress Supers, an Entrance Reducer, Cypress Hive Stand, 16 assembled 6-1/4" Frames w/grooved top and bottom bars, and 16 sheets of Crimp Wired Foundation with no hooks . All you have to do is to pop the beeswax foundation into the already assembled frames. Paint the hive and you are ready for the bees!
Please Note: Due to the dimensions on this hive it must ship in multiple boxes, SHIPPING WILL BE ADJUSTED AND CUSTOMER WILL BE CONTACTED WITH NEW TOTAL FOR APPROVAL
While the hive itself is excellent, I found that one of the mediums has warped. I wish this was sold with the option of getting dovetailed mediums. I would pay extra for that.
- Will, TX
Lovely Hive
So far I love this hive. I have 3 and everyone who sees them just goes on and on about how beautiful they are. I just put a clear coat on mine to let the fantastic natural wood finish show through. I am a new beekeeper and Im glad and so is my back that I started with the 8-Frame Hives. The only con is I had to move a few hives that were to close to some large ant hills because the ants were eating holes in the corners of the underside of the top cover and crawling in and out of the cover. So far Im stacking mine with 3 brood boxes and 2 honey supers and just loving the results. I highly recommend his hive kit. Thanks Brushy Mountain for a gorgeous hive that makes beeking for me fun and enjoyable.
- Mama BOGGS, OH
Garden Hive
I have these hives and love them. I did not paint mine, instead I put 3 coats of urethane on them, as I really love the look of the cypress wood. We have had a somewhat wet spring and my supers are holding up really well. I know cypress is a geat wood to work with, but with any wood, the weather can get to it. I have had no problems with them coming apart at the seams. I love the design of the A top, not only does it look great, it is fantastic for the rain to run off, sometimes flat tops get dents and hold water unless you elevate one end. I use a piece of plywood in my bee yard if I need to set frames or supers on something and then prop it up against the back of the hive for future use. Having neck surgery a couple of years ago, the 8 frame works fantatic for me. Brushy Mountain has some of the finest equipment and I would highly recomend them.
- C. S. Ward, NC
Poor construction
Purchased two garden hives to begin transition from 10-frame to 8-frame. Three months later, cypress mediums have started to warp and separate. Nails are not galvanized, so painting is necessary, So much for the nice look of weathered cypress.
- -dcm-, MD
An awesome addition
This hive looks so good in my garden. My neighbor saw just how beautiful it was and decided to keep bees herself! Sturdy, functional/practical and beautiful!
Looks and works great
I am starting my fourth season with this hive. I wanted less weight for my back and knees to bear, and something good looking because it is in the back yard of my small inn. I set it on a large plastic beverage crate atop a raised 24 bed garden and it is very easy to work. I would worry about swarming if using only the 2 mediums. I stack one more shallow in the beginning of the season, and will add another in late spring now because my bees split themselves last spring. The shallows are easier for me anyway.
- SARAH, NM
Looks pretty, but not that functional
What I liked: You will hear lots of dissent, but eight frame medium is the way to go. The hive stand and bottom board are nice as well.
What I did not like: The worst is the outer cover. It is pretty, but every time you put it on the ground you will wish it had a flat top. Flat tops are nice to use as work platforms as well. Also, the cypress boxes didnt hold up as well as I would have liked. I am not a woodworker, but these boxes have a different joint than the finger jointed pine. The pine boxes seem to be less prone to curl up and leave gaps between the boxes. Lastly, I cant imagine using just two boxes, I think youll need 4 to 5, three for brood/overwintering and 1 to 2 for supers. Just be aware that youll need more equipment than is included.
- Bill, TN
A wonderful Hive for so many reasons
This hive looks great in my yard and even the neighbors say they have never seen such a nice bee hive. I had to buy a deep so I could move frames from a nuc into my hive and I used the medium for my first honey super. The construction is superb and when I had to lift my first full honey super I was so glad I went with the 8-frame! Im ordering another English hive for the spring. I stain them honey-color and they look very nice! Thanks Brushy Mountain!
- Russ, NY
Garden Hive
I have been using this 8 frame all medium hive for three years now and LOVE it! I have 10 frame traditional, and 10 frame medium hives, and for weight, looks, and ease of use, I would trade two of them for just one garden hive. This is the only hive I buy now. My back thanks me, and its beautiful.
