idea for greenhouse hive

Hello all!

I'm currently building a walipini (going SLOW now) and my wife had an idea for the greenhouse to make it accessible to the bees and I wanted to get ya'lls opinion of it.

The idea was to place the hive next to the greenhouse and allow a passageway, perhaps a 1" pipe, between the hive and the interior of the greenhouse. This would allow them free range outside and in the greenhouse. Perhaps allowing them entrance without being locked in accidentally. This may also allow them access to food during the winter months (would this work?) when outside food has dried up.

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Matt

ps - I dont have a hive yet, but planning.

well, putting it next to the greenhouse is a better idea than putting it in the greenhouse...

unless your greenhouse is truly enormous, the small amount of forage you'll be able to provide over the winter isn't likely to make a significant difference. you want them to be dormant in the winter, anyhow, or they'll eat up all the honey they've put up for the lean times.

Bees will fly to the glass in the greenhouse and tire themselves out trying to get out. You will run the risk of losing large numbers if they have access to a closed greenhouse during the winter.

I agree. Let the bees hibernate like they are supposed to. Pull up google earth and look at a 2 mile area in all directions of your hive. Think about how many plants fit in the area. Your green house is is probably nothing but a spec.