Wanting to start a blueberry farm
misha35
16 years ago
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barrie2m_(6a, central PA)
16 years agogladgrowing
16 years agoRelated Discussions
Want to start a vegetable/flower farm
Comments (1)Hi! You might get more info if you post your question at either of these other Gardenweb links. Good luck! Links that might be useful: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/market/ http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/carolgard/...See MoreHow did you get started? Farm stories?
Comments (12)Before you get invested with property, you might check with places that take apprentices, learners, interns, that want to learn farming or raising crops to sell locally. Not sure what they offer, but I know there are programs out there. Locally we have a real basic place, teaches crafts and skills in low tech farming, educating people from other nations who go home to improve their local conditions by training others. Gardening, using draft animals, improved plows made locally, blacksmithing, building wooden things from furniture to barns. They have interns each year, do many projects in learning the skills. http://www.tillersinternational.org/ I am sure there must be other places that teach skills to folks wanting to live closer to the land. This kind of farming lifestyle may sound idyllic, but sometimes must be combined with money producing, RELIABLE income for cash. Can't pay the property taxes with vegtables or a lamb. Anyway, learning is much easier if you get it done before investing money in land or "accessories" to work your own place. You find much information, better methods that work for you in certain settings, and if you really like doing this day in or out. You can travel easily if you don't have property, responsibilities, nothing to hold you, going off to these educational places. Check them out, seek far and wide. PA is home, but other places are fun as well, have other benefits you would enjoy. The more you learn, the better you can make informed choices in deciding your future goals. Best of luck Here is a link that might be useful: Tillers International...See MoreStarting a small local farm as a career?
Comments (35)I think my question is pretty clear: You have offered your place for sale to some potential farmer. You have not named a price, said how many acres, soil type, water resources, etc. You have said a rental income of 32k justifies buying your place and trying to make a living farming it. There is no way to know that without knowing at least the answers to the questions above. In most parts of the eastern US the market value of land makes trying to "make a living" by selling farm produce is an impossibility. It's all fine if one bought the place years ago when it was much less valuable in relative terms, and/or paid off the mortgage if there was one by doing some occupation much more remunerative than farming, or most workable of all, inherited the land. Buying land these days, most places, to live by farming is not feasible. The result will be a big loss of time/labor and any money invested....See MoreWhen to start cloning blueberry and raspberry cuttings?
Comments (16)The last two photos is the best I can do bec of the high sun above. There is the one in the ground . Very nice I guess and its 3 feet tall. The other photo is a patch or hedge of about 8 plants. Ok so.... I made a few mistakes before ordering. I should have been most concerned with the actual variety of blueberry. And best tasting berry. I live in an area where I can have northern, southern highbush and rabbiteyes. Not all of them but some northern, some southern and all rabbiteyes. I only ordered rabbiteyes. Wish I would have not done that. I should have ordered 2-3 great tasting northerns and 2-3 southern plants and 6 or so rabbiteyes... Because when you plant them.... That's it. There goes your prime sunny real estate.. Most folks only have so much area to use. so this is what I would do if I had a do over.... #1 Make sure the blueberry bush I buy can absolutely grow in my climate. #2 Sun and shade varies with large trees around. It varies on the time of year it is. What I thought was 6 or more hrs of sun in February turned into only 1-2 hrs of sun in June/ July. So I had to move 5 plants out of a shady area which was full sun 5 months prior. Numb 2 might not apply to you. #3 great blueberry online source. #4 very important Ask as many quest's about the best tasting berries for your area. There are a few good ppl on here that can help you. Guys like fruitnut ... He can help you and if he can't, he can tell you who to ask. He's a winner. He's willing to help. I do not recommend rabbiteyes but only climax... But rabbiteyes will work if it's all you can grow. They will work for you. #5 cheap simple soil test to giv you an idea of the acidity. My 5 dollar test came up very acidic so I was good . But others will tell you to get a much better test. They are right. But I did it cheaply and it worked. #6... 40 or 50 or 60% peat moss should be mixed into the ground at planting with natural soil. Then as as the months go by, your plants basically tell/show you what they need. If they look dry, they need water. If they turn yellowish reddish , they need simple acid fertilizer. Prob lacking nitrogen. Sorry for the long mesg. It's confusing I kno. Lol finally im just a beginner. I know nothing compared to other ppl on here. Let me know if you need any help. Good luck. -Otto...See Moreherbalistic
15 years agoDirt_Wrangler
13 years agomyfamilysfarm
13 years agoNoogy
13 years agomyfamilysfarm
13 years agobarberberryfarm
13 years agowordwiz
13 years agoJay Lassiter
8 years agoKenneth Short
8 years agoJames
8 years agoIsham Sebastian C
6 years agoBarrie, (Central PA, zone 6a)
6 years agoHU-566109452
3 years ago
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