Perennials Gardens, groves and orchards for secondary property (BOL)

[LibertyMom]

We are purchasing some rural property for recreation in the Shenandoah Valley. DS has developed an interest in gardening and we’ve been talking about what we could plant that would do ok on its own without daily or weekly management. We’ve talked about nut trees and fruit trees, but wondered what else might do well. Squash? Beans?

We’ve also wondered how much effort to put into planting vs protection from raccoons, deer, and bears. Planting a hedge of berries is kind of like setting up a buffet, isn’t it? Would we even get to enjoy any of it if not there regularly?

 

[Kathy in FL]

We are purchasing some rural property for recreation in the Shenandoah Valley. DS has developed an interest in gardening and we’ve been talking about what we could plant that would do ok on its own without daily or weekly management. We’ve talked about nut trees and fruit trees, but wondered what else might do well. Squash? Beans?

We’ve also wondered how much effort to put into planting vs protection from raccoons, deer, and bears. Planting a hedge of berries is kind of like setting up a buffet, isn’t it? Would we even get to enjoy any of it if not there regularly?

If you create an orchard we learned the hard way that you need to have some type of watering system. We finally went with a timed drip irrigation system, but not before losing a lot of trees. Even established trees need some protection ... netting during fruiting, trunk protection to keep them from being girdled, water during droughts, protection from native foragers such as deer, coons, possums, etc.

We are rebuilding the orchard but it is a lot of years lost.

 

[Martinhouse]

I have found that an 8' fence can keep out deer, dogs, and lazy humans. Anything else is totally capable of burrowing under or climbing over. Bears and track hoes can probably just go straight through, but I've had no actual experience with either of those.

 

[WalknTrot]

Deer and rabbits can/will cause major destruction to unfenced trees and vegetables. They think you planted them a food plot, "Thank You Very Much!"

Build the fence first or you will just be wasting a lot of money.
Shenandoah Valley, you shouldn't have lot of problem (on average) with adequate rainfall.

 

[LibertyMom]

Thank you! I’m sure that has been really frustrating.