Anyone living off the land?

[LBejaran]

Okay so I went out and splurged on 2 dwarf fruit trees-an avocado and a banana. Ugh I wasn't sure what to get and these were the only dwarf trees-not semi dwarf- they had at Home Depot. Remember I want to be able to move these trees if I move. Well gee how would I ever grow bananas and avocados if I move to Montana. DUH!!!! Unfortunately these and citrus trees seem to be the only fruit trees I can find in the area. I would love to grow apples or peaches or SOMETHING here that I would also be able to grow in Montana. Any suggestions?

Also, I really didn't do my research-impulse buys-so I didn't realize how hard these trees would be to grow in the desert. WHY would they sell trees not hardy for our region? Oh they might grow but they might not grow FRUIT!!!

I am annoyed because I thought it was a great idea. Any help would be appreciated.

Avocados are really easy to grow, actually. The thing about them, however, is that a tree can take years to fruit. We planted a pit and it took 3 years before we got an avocado. Then the dog destroyed the tree, but it was great while it lasted!

We have family who just have potted avocado trees in their house. It's not always ideal, but it works for them. I'm not entirely sure about apples & peaches that will transfer well. That may take some more research. There are several types of apples that will grow well herei the valley, but they wouldn't do well only five hours north of me. I think some fruit trees are just more sensitive to soil and weather conditions.

 

[newbie32]

Avocados are really easy to grow, actually. The thing about them, however, is that a tree can take years to fruit. We planted a pit and it took 3 years before we got an avocado. Then the dog destroyed the tree, but it was great while it lasted!

We have family who just have potted avocado trees in their house. It's not always ideal, but it works for them. I'm not entirely sure about apples & peaches that will transfer well. That may take some more research. There are several types of apples that will grow well herei the valley, but they wouldn't do well only five hours north of me. I think some fruit trees are just more sensitive to soil and weather conditions.

yeah 3 years from a pit is actually really good. Usually fruit trees can take a LONG time-up to 20 years. But mine are already started and dwarfs and I should get fruit within a year or two, If I can get it to grow and thrive here. I haven't been able to find a dwarf apple that I can grow here. That is what I really want-apples!!! And pears!!! But I would be happy with anything else that is hardy in several different climates. Our frost hours are like 150 a year. WAY low.

 

[newbie32]

Do I flood if planting grass from seed? We are in desert so no rain. I would like to have grass for my chickens to get bugs from. I have never seen grass done from seed before, just sod. And I am not paying for sod on a house that isn't mine.

Also, any advice on the type of grass to grow here in the desert?

 

[chicken-lady13]

Hey NEWBIE I'm wondering if ornamental grass (zebra grass)of some kind might work. It is very hardy and hard to kill. This would give your chicken shade to play& lay under to.

 

[newbie32]

Hey NEWBIE I'm wondering if ornamental grass (zebra grass)of some kind might work. It is very hardy and hard to kill. This would give your chicken shade to play& lay under to.

Thank you! I will check it out. Hardy and hard to kill is EXACTLY what I need!

It sounds tall, which is perfectly okay with me!

 

[newbie32]

I am thinking about the permaculture someone mentioned awhile ago and wondering if any of you have done the mound planting. Basically its hills and you grow the trees on top of the hill and the vegetation on the bottom in between the hills. It makes sense for water usage. I am curious as to the results of saved water plus growth on the average homestead or backyard. Anyone?

Plus pictures are fabulous!

 

[chicken-lady13]

It sounds like what farmers do when they have erosion problems. They will plant a big area of a certain crop and leave a big area of grass between each area of crops. This prevents there soil from washing away. I' m not sure what this method is called, but it works very well. They also plant different crops each year to leave more nutrients in there soil. They will plant clover and other plants in the crop area after harvest. They will let it grow and then turn the soil to put nutrients back in there soil, so they will have good healthy crops next growing season.

 

[CibolaChooks]

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[newbie32]

here are some pictures I found on the web.

See how the vegetation grows in between the hills



I cant tell if it is going down hill but it looks like it is

 

[LBejaran]

here are some pictures I found on the web. See how the vegetation grows in between the hills I cant tell if it is going down hill but it looks like it is

I think it's called alley farming. People in South America, where loads of forest burning happens, would plant inca trees in rows and plant crops between the rows. It prevents their fertile soil from washing away when it rains over their steep landscape. They trim the leaves once or twice a year and use them as ground cover and they'll eventually fertilize the ground. The trees also provide shade for the crops, so they aren't burned by full sun.