Best Tree Crops for Victoria

3 posts
Fri, 08/21/2020 - 23:05 #1

Member for

4 years 2 months
Ollie Douglas
Last seen: 08/22/2020 - 18:04
Joined: 08/21/2020 - 22:38

Best Tree Crops for Victoria

Hi Everybody,

My long term plan is to live on a small farm, to grow my own food, and also have an additional crop that I can make a little extra money on.

I am not planning on making the move for a few years. But I have saved enough money to purchase some land now and begin improving it. I am considering planting a tree crop that will take a few years to mature, so by the time I am ready to make the move it will be mature, and I can start making additional income of the crop when I do finally move.

I am currently located in Melbourne, and I am planning on buying property in Victoria so that I can drive there on weekends to slowly move the land improvements/tree plantings along over the next few years. Aside from that, I have not yet narrowed down the location within Victoria.

I am curious what tree crops you think might be well suited to my plan, and if you have any other advice or opinions on my plan to start the farm I would very much appreciate any input.

Cheers,
Ollie

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Tue, 08/25/2020 - 12:38 #2
admin
Last seen: 11/13/2024 - 10:09
Joined: 02/28/2011 - 14:19

Hi Ollie,

Welcome to the small farm form and thanks for the question.

I would firstly narrow down the area where you want to be located and then research the common soil types in the area, climate and then research tree crops that may be suitable to those soil types etc

Once you narrow down your search I would then consider taking a soil test (10-50cm) or see if the current owners have any old soil test that can be reviewed. 

We also offer a pre-purchase inspection package which may be helpful once you get closer to the time of purchase
https://www.farmstyle.com.au/small-and-hobby-farm-consulting-services

Regards,
Charlie

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Wed, 09/02/2020 - 09:36 #3
Steve89
Last seen: 09/02/2020 - 11:40
Joined: 09/02/2020 - 09:11

Were you looking to run just an orchard or? There are new and innovative farming methods as people try to be more sustainable depending on what your after.

Silvopasturing/agroforestry are interesting concepts for diversification and sustainability. Essentially you would grow trees at wide spacings and once established (or when you move there) you can run animals beneath them for more then one product. Animals and plants then interact (shade/shelter for animals and pasture - reduces lost energy/water, animal manure for plants) to produce multiple products making you less susceptible to fluctuations of a single market.

Old examples include pigs fattened under oak forest/orchards in europe (jamon iberico hams) and sheep grazing in vineyards. But it has been done with everything from fowl to cow.

permculturists talk of food forests, and some of the more entrepreneurial/business inclined like sepp holzer have designed numerous pick your own orchards and the likes.

Or do you want 1 main product? "The best tree crops"- for what?

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