Just Starting out...

[moonshadow]

So...I finally bought my little piece of paradise in coastal British Columbia. I want to get started with those trees, bushes and plants that will take the longest to establish and will yield the the most pleasure and food value. I know that cherries, apples and pears grow well here. Are there any other trees I need to consider that have done well for anyone out there? Any uncommon species that people have found good to plant? I am also thinking of planting some blueberries and raspberries...maybe a currant bush as well. Any other suggestions? What would be your "must haves" if you were just starting out again? This forum looks great. I hope to spend a lot of time here learning and sharing.

Thanks in advance....

Anne

[shadowwalker]

I'll really go oddball. Autumn Olive, american persimmon,black cherry, elderberry,plum, witch hazel, sasafrass, maybe nut trees-more hardy ones, manchurian apricot, spicebush, rowan, sugar maple.

[moonshadow]

Thanks for that, Shadowalker! :D

Ah yes...elderberry! Anyone know where I can get an elderberry? I don't even know if they are indiginous, but I'll bet they'd grow here. Supposedly we are zone 7b. Leaves a lot more to work with than when I lived in frosty Alberta. Gardening was always a struggle there.
I know that asparagus will take a while to get started as well...what else am I forgetting???

[moonshadow]

Thanks...that's great!

I never even THOUGHT of wolfberries!
And I understand that kiwis do very well here, as does passionfruit.

I appreciate your quick and thoughtful responses.
This looks like a really great forum. :D

[wy0mn]

I like mulberries & pawpaws, plums too.
Do you have something similar to our County Extension Agent, someone who can test your soil pH as well as tell you how to perform perc testing? If so, they may recommend some plants.
You need to know what will handle your soils, moisture levels, local pests... not just climate.
Do you have Jap beetles there? Horrid things.

Sassafras is a known carcinogen, but Mom used to place sprigs of it in her dried apples to keep the bugs out.

[wy0mn]

PS:
Use your neighbors, you'll wanna know them anyway. Ask around & see what others are having success/failure with.
I recently relocated to Wyoming from Tennessee, purchased 40 acres of treeless prairie. You can bet I'm asking lots of questions from the locals!