starting again

[crazycanner]

Hello everyone, I am crazycanner and am jsut starting on this board and have some questions. My husband and I live on 100 acres in Alabama that used to be his grandparents. So far we have build a catfish pond and of course the trees are growing wild and use some for firewood and letting the rest grow for timber.

What would be the best place to start asfar as growing our own food? Is there a difference in seeds that you order or get at the feed store? crazycanner

[idealist]

Welcome! It sounds like you have a wonderful plot of land that you can really develop into your own slice of paradise! As far as your question about growing your own food, I don't have much knowledge of seeds, but you may want to decide on whether you will be going organic or non-organic. Will you build a greenhouse to grow your food indoors and be relatively safe from pests, or do you have a nice patch of land with good soil where you can plant multiple beds to rotate crops?

[crazycanner]

I used to raise goat,had to get rid of them because we were doing a lot of travling doing gospel music, had to slow done due to husband's health, and chickens. So this year I am planting some where I used to have pens. Already have pototoes, onions and garlic growing.

We looked at the almaca(sp) to today and according tp it the 11th and 12th will be good days to plant. i hope one day will be able to get chickens and goats(for milk and meat) . crazycanner

[kawalekm]

Hi CC
Pictures, you've got to show pictures! *What's your overall environment like? *Are you on the coastal plain, or up in the northeastern highlands? *What are your winter lows like? *Is your soil sandy or more loam?

These kinds of questions would help decide whether you should be planting apples or citrus. *I'm a permaculture guy myself, so I focus a lot on planting trees. *I would recommend to anyone that the first thing they do on a new peice of land is plant trees. For you maybe peaches, pecans, almonds, ect. But, one thing I expect everyone should have is a grain patch. *Corn seems right for you. *Maybe both table corns, and also feed corns if you want to get back to raising animals.

In any case, congratulations on your location, and hope for the best for you. *I can't think of any greater joy than getting your family on its own land, then shaping to fulfill all your needs.
Michael

[crazycanner]

We live in east central Alabama, our winters can be cold but this year was not to bad. We can grow just about anything but citrus.

[kawalekm]

Now's the perfect time to be planting trees. The first thing I did after buying our land was start planting our orchard trees. I say do that first, because your trees will take a couple of years before they start to bear, so you can occupy your other time while waiting for the trees to fruit.

Your location weather wise is similar to mine. I'm in the Sierra foothills with a zone 8a-8b winter, whilst your probably in zone 7a. Peaches are the very first thing I'd suggest for you, followed by appricots, almonds, and Japanese plums. Pecans are another must have for you, and maybe chesnuts will work also. You can check on-line nurseries like
www.tytyga.com or www.eat-it.com/products.htm
to find southeastern favorates. Most importantly, plant what you like and grow your own.

After your trees are in the ground you can work on getting a garden started. What's the soil like? Are there lots of tree stumps to contend with? Maybe the best advice I can give is walk over to your neighbors and introduce yourself. You can ask them their experience about what worked for them and what didn't. Seeing healthy plants in the ground is the single best guide you can have.
Good Luck,
Michael

[wy0mn]

There are a lot of good nurseries out there.
When I had the TN farmstead I ordered all my stuff from StarkBros. Their guarantee & service was awesome, as was the information package.
Take a soil sample to the county extension agent, or buy a PH tester, some trees are fickle about soils. If you want cherries you may also have to do a perc test for drainage.
I planted my orchard with tree heights/widths in mind too, so that those in the rear weren't over-shadowed by those in the front, and had room to grow... The semi-dwarf varieties were great producers & easier to spray & harvest.
And don't forget the grapes!
My folks are in Franklin & Winston counties in NW Alabama.
http://www.starkbros.com/