|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/13/2008 5:05:19 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 59
|
|
| Custer and I have bought 6 acres in extreme northeastern South Dakota, and are looking for ways to make it profitable, as well as self sufficient. The garden was great his year, and so far we have antelope, rabbit and deer in the freezer. Would like to get chickens, but are looking for plans for a small (really small) coop that we could build for about a dozen that would use a lot of their own body heat to warm them. Also looking for any ideas as to what we could raise in the garden to supplement our income when we retire. (about 15 years from now) We are looking at the long term here, but time keeps passing by. We planted 3 apple trees this year, 10 raspberries, and 3 rhubarb. We have cuttings for grapes coming in the spring from a vineyard, and would like to plant some cherries and pears. Any other ideas out there? Thank you so Much Everyone! This is one great community.
CUSTERNSUE
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 9/21/2008 7:34:00 AM
Posts: 9,
Visits: 10
|
|
| Where will you sell your produce? Heirloom tomatos and unusual fruits like asian pears seem to be good for some farmers.
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 4/13/2008 5:05:19 PM
Posts: 5,
Visits: 59
|
|
| THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR REPLY. WE ARE LOOKING AT A MARKET FOR OUR PRODUCE AS BEING OUR LOCAL GROCERY OUTLET WHICH OWNS SIX STORES IN OUR AREA. LAST YEAR THEY BOUGHT MOST OF MY BUMPER CROP OF GREEN BEANS AND DISPERSED THEM AMONG THEIR STORES. THEY HAVE A DAILY BAKERY RUN TO THE STORES FROM THE MOTHER STORE, SO IT IS EASY FOR THEM TO GET FRESH PRODUCE DISPERSED. I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE MORE GARDEN THIS YEAR TO SELL, AND YOUR SUGGESTION OF HEIRLOOM TOMATOES REALLY SOUNDS GREAT. PEOPLE SEEM TO BE LOOKING FOR THE UNIQUE AND LOCALLY GROWN THINGS. ANY SUGGESTIONS ON HOW TO CONTROL POCKET GOPHERS OR RABBITS ORGANICALLY? THANKS AGAIN, CUSTERNSUE
CUSTERNSUE
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 8/7/2008 9:58:05 AM
Posts: 35,
Visits: 28
|
|
| You are off to a great start! It is great that you were able to sell produce to the grocery store chain, hopefully you can expand on that with more veggies! When we had the pocket gophers we'd trap them. It's no fun dispatching a gopher, but I'd rather do that than use poison. Some people I know had success putting bubble gum down their tunnels.
Dream Big.
|
|
|
|
|
Starting Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:13:33 PM
Posts: 29,
Visits: 156
|
|
| between fences and my dogs rabbits and gophers don't get much out of my garden asparagus and garlic are two hits out of my garden 
|
|
|
|
|
Junior Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:49:09 PM
Posts: 121,
Visits: 148
|
|
Hi,
If you can find blueberry varieties that do well in your area, you might consider planting those. I know blueberries in our area are commanding premium prices right now. I have four blueberry bushes that are about seventeen years old, and they're so incredibly easy to care for and very productive. They give my family and me quite a bit for our own use -- if only I had a whole field of them
Good luck!
Cherie
|
|
|
|
|
New Member
Group: Forum Members
Last Login: 10/4/2008 11:21:04 AM
Posts: 92,
Visits: 230
|
|
| I agree about the blueberries, the asparagus, and the other fruits that you're trying too. I wish I had planted high bush blueberries years ago. Other tree fruits might be good as well. Plant now and they'll be in full production by the time you're ready. Most other garden crops that sell well are annuals, so you'll have plenty of time to see what is popular in your area. Good luck. BTW, don't worry too much (at all) about warmth for the chickens. They'll be much better off with plenty of room, and good ventilation, especially in winter, even in your area. Research breeds with combs which don't get too big and freeze, if you plan to keep any roosters, otherwise give them as much room as you can spare.
|
|
|
|