had 3 ac cleared how to best use it???

How would a small Christmas tree, pumpkin patch, apple cider operation sound to you and the kids. Petting area and hayrides. You could sell produce in season, move to pumpkin patch, apple cider and then Christmas trees. You could sell jams, jellies, fruit, maybe maple syrup and meat products. Make it slow in the winter so you can catch up, kids are in school and short days....James

James

Some pretty good ideas. First fence posts, I have two stands of mixed cedar and pine Here on the property. So more than likely I'll use cedar posts, may even do cedar rails on the front. Another two three years and the pines will be big enough to start building my dream house. Lots to do between now and then. As we all know homesteading is life long not done by tomorrow.
Hadn't given pumpkins any thought that might be an idea. I do know that melons and such grow well here. Corn one of my favorites doesn't. (yet) There's a tree co that owns a dumping lot at the other end of my road lots of free chips, fire wood to if not picky about what gets burned. But I have so much that needs cutting here I usually supply my own wood unless there's some good oak or hickory for the taking. As for apples I planted a few trees two springs ago. They are not doing to well though a mole killed a few and damaged most of them.
Please y'all keep the ideas coming. Someone another place suggested Jensing (sp). I know that grows in this area. Know nothing about getting seeds or starts for it though.
Thankfully work is slowing down some so I will have a little more time and energy to spend here. Less dollars though.

Jopaw,

Thanks your the first person I have talked with who has given trees a try. Waiting to hear back from VCTGA and VDF about planting them here. The two strains I may be interested in that should grow here are white fir and colorado blue spruce(CBS) . I know pines and such would grow faster here but I like colorado blue spruce the best and white fir isn't bad. Most christmas tree breeds wont grow here but I believe those two will. I see CBS growing in places around here and white fir is more heat tolerant than it is. Any tips and ideas?

Thanks
Larry

A World Away

I raised Christmas trees for years, a lot of work. You have to keep the weeds and brush down, we rototilled both ways down the rows. Cannot have briars growing up into the trees. You have to shear them unless you sell a much cheaper natural tree (not any profit there. We had 2 lots, one near and 1 in California. Trees bring a lot more in California, I hauled them myself by the semi load, not really more profit than the lot 8 miles away. I know an older gentleman here who sells U-cut trees from his property. He has a corn maize, pumpkin patch, brings in the petting animals for a week at a time, sells cider and then Christmas trees. Then goes south for the winter. Kind of a hobby, knows the families who come every year, enjoys the heck out of the kids....James

If you want to look at a choice of christmas trees a good catalog to get is one from Musser Forest Nursury - they have a lot of different trees to consider

Any more pictures of this 3 acres? Nice looking area. Getting ready to do the same

In reverse order pinetop. I can take more.
Joepa Thanks I bookmarked it.
James I must have missed that. I was planning to cut the rows like a lawn. This newly cleared area will one day be to the right front of my home. I'll take a couple pictures from where I want the house to sit.

Anyone What are the best tools for sheering? (I work in a small eng shop so if its basic gas hedgers got that covered!) Have any of you thought of planting in containers? Been toying with the idea to try a few in plastic 55 gal drum halves. Burried within two inches of the top. That would hold a good 25 gallon of GOOD dirt. With gravel under and good drainage on the bottom of the drum. Pretty sure they would be deep enough but not sure if they would be wide enough. There are several ways I can get these back out of the ground after 8-10 years. Those who buy these would more than likely also pay to have them planted after Christmas. Winter work is always slow. Another thought in 18" tall containers will want a little less overall height. So maybe a year shorter growing season.

Larry
A World Away

Thanks Larry. We got 10 acres of thick hardwoods but need to clear 2-3 acres. Just trying to get a good sense of the size of 3 acres in that type setting.

You bet. I'll get more pics this weekend. I think the weather is going to hold so maybe I can make some progress. That will make a nice change, never seen so much rain feast or famine. That space measures about 260' x 420' x 400' x 420' give or take a little.

Larry
A World Away

pinetop,

Took two hours to find my camera then had to go to town for batteries. Of course they were dead as I haven't used the camera in a couple years. Went up and took pictures from all angles. Came back down the hill and low and behold the memory card for my old camera wont fit my new laptop. So if you'll settle for more camera pics I'll get them tomorrow. Sorry for the delay. Just my luck sometimes.

Larry
A World Away!!!

Lol. Thanks