As part of a permaculture class, I'm designing a backyard in Berkeley, CA. The family whose yard we are designing is interested in keeping bees (yay). Regarding the placement of the hive, a couple questions came up and it would be wonderful if you had some answers or recommendations:
1. One spot we are thinking of for the beehives is facing Northwest and gets sun most of the day. After having read up on beehive placement, most recommendations say to have the entrance facing Southeast. Would Northwest entrance placement be a problem?
2. Our other spots that are facing southeast would have either pathways or outdoor seating within a few feet of the hive's entrance. Would this be a bad idea because people would end up being in the bee's pathway? I know bees won't be a problem just randomly stinging those in their paths, but in considering the fact that many people don't like to be in the beeline of bees, how far away should a hive bein relation to seating/pathways where people will be?
Thanks in advance!
