Thoughts on 5 acres - need some sources

[derm]

Wife and I just bought 5 acres about an hour out of town that was a good deal that we are going to make into a homestead away from home we can grow stuff on.

Gentle north slope of 2 acres that will become an orchard/grapes/brambles top of ridge has 3 car garage with 2 bedroom apartment on it that was a bank foreclosure/sherrif sale we are rehabbing. One acre of flat nice growing area at the top with 2 acres of hardwoods(mostly cherry) south slope.

None of the ground is ready to plant now and we have the time to improve everything before we get started. Here is the plan with questions and I would really appreciate thoughts/critique

North slope-weedy, needs brushhogged. I was going to fence it with solar electric fence for deer and then keep it cut low until I can start with trees. I dont want to plant anything until fenced or deer will graze it down.
-best fence option?
-good sources for trees, brambles?

Top of ridge I will clear to get a good 3/4 acre slightly southern exposed vegetable garden. Was also going to put a chicken coop up there to have them eventually help with garden pests and fence prior to use for the deer issue.
-same fence question
-any good sources for cover crop seed?(I will cover crop for awhile to build up fertility and smother old weeds)

Hardwood gets nurtured and small harvests for firewood
-indoor or outdoor boiler for heat? (none present now)


Thanks for any thoughts!

[Wolf mom]

1. Please put in your local or at least your state so we can more directly/specifically answer your questions.

2. Go to your local co-operative extention service - loads of local information.

3. Look up past threads concerning deer and the continuing saga about the many ways of trying to rid them from your garden.

4. Congrats of your new endeavor.

[Qhorseman]

You can do alot with five acres, grab a copy of "Five Acres and Independance" I don't think you will get a sustainable woodlot from it, especially with an outdoor wood boiler, most folks I know are using 7-10 cords a year with an outdoor furnace

[derm]

Well shoot, forgot my spot, I am in Ohio. I will check on the OSU extension site, but I have not seen a tree sale from them for fruit trees. I will definately check that book. I have read a bunch of posts going back awhile here. Thanks for the advice.

[geo in mi]

derm,
Congratulations on your buy. I would first get a survey with irons and lots of flags--if you haven't already done so-- so as to avoid any problems with neighbor misunderstandings. Doing so now, rather than during or after a dispute keeps it businesslike with no hard feelings.

Then, since you have Fall and Winter before you really need to do any planting, I would just take a few warm days to walk the land(to see if you would tear up any equipment bushhogging it), and take note of any dead or dying trees before leaf fall--no sense in cutting down a perfectly good living tree yet.....then make a few bonfires and enjoy the fading warm season.

You'll get more of an idea by knowing what is there and where your water supply and septic system is located. You'll also need to know if your fertility on top of the hill is any good for gardening, and if you will have to make wholesale ammendments to it to get started. Also. you'll get a sense of where to plant fruit trees--to avoid frost in the springtime......

And, I would get a handle on local auctions, tractor supply dealers, equipment places, etc, etc. You'll need some kind of equipment to bushhog and plant garden, tote things, dig holes, move snow, and so forth.

Enjoy, and good luck

geo

[ronbre]

if you don't have the money or time to do the entire deer fence all at once..start with just cages around your trees for the time being, a lot of people do that in our area..we do..we put cages around the trees when they are small and tender and then after that they are able to put up with the deer..haven't lost any to deer yet..