Growing area

[Greth]

I *might* be able to get hold of a couple of hectares of prime inner Adelaide hills land to plant trees or whatever I want, irrigated. And be able to visit regularly to fertilize, maintain said trees etc.
Just looking for some Ausbonsai feedback on what to do with such a space. It is somewhat secluded, so no invasion of public.
Brilliant fertile land, could be mine to use for years if wanted.
So what would you do?

[rowan]

What wouldn't I do. Well picked up - What do you have in mind for it?

[NaturalSelection]

id build a cottage and a sustainable system of life and just live off the land.... id really love that.. sigh.

fair cold down that way tho aye?
NS

[kcpoole]

I would make Raised growing beds and then plant out with at least 5 of each species I was interested in every year. Lift them every 2 years to root prune, maintain wire etc.
After sufficient time (5 years at least). take out a tree or 2 of of each type every year thereafter.

Keep the best for myself to work and cherish and then sell on the others to Ausbonsai community so we can all have great stock to work with

Is this for real or april fools?

Ken

[Guy]

I have a dream------------------grab it with both hands

[Guy]

perhaps a rare plants nursery

[Greth]

Not an April fools.
This is a paddock out the back of hubby's work, currently not used for anything except a little rusty machinery. He has been given the task of purifying waste water from a fruit juice plant. Some greywater can be piped to irrigate this land, then run thru a reed bed and be pure and sweet thereafter.
I have a degree in environmental biology, so qualified to use this water, plant some plants to soak it up and cleanse it, IF management will agree to a proposal. This is an area of the hills where cold climate plants, maples, conifers, flourish, so a bonsai starter nursery might be a profitable way to go with it. They won't mind a bit of contaimination from fruit pulp or juice, actually they would probably love the nutrients!
I have also thought of rare herbs and trees, fruit products which could enhance the company, that sorta thing. Looks like an opening for a boutique orchard.

[Glenn C]

Wow Greth, famine to feast in a week, you'll be flooding those markets next year.
Don't make it look too good they'll want it back.
I like Ken's idea, but if it's that big you could do it all, orchard, veges, herbs, raised grow beds, get some of the hubby's workmates involved and get a nice return for all with fresh produce.
Good luck too you I hope it comes off

[Greth]

Would love it to be famine to feast, but reality ain't quite so. Someone has to provide the seedlings, and they might cost. Someone has to plant them and care for them, it would be me, unpaid. Then it is gonna be weekly or daily care for a year or two before plants or products are grown to a saleable state.
I suppose my biggest worry is what size of bonsai hopefuls is profitable? Could I regularly sell one year plants for $10? Would I have to keep them for 5 years to make $50? Would I be better served sellling herbs at $60 a kilogram( and I do know herbs which sell for $100 kilogram or more)
It is all a query

[Greth]

Yes well
The Town is Lobethal, and if you know Lobethal it is known for Christmas lights, And I think Christmas lights=Christmas trees = conifers = possible bonsai.
And so I see a patch of land here is a potential nursery. Have to see if the manager is open minded enough to think the same way.

[Joel]

I would collect native and exotic trees and have my own arboretum. No need to mow lawns, the sheep would take care of that. Set up a vegetable garden (time availability would determine size) and watch the stunning trees mature.

Joel

[Greth]

Already got great veggie garden here, did ya want some spinach, or corn, or beans, tomatoes, basil, thyme, savory, chives or garlic chives, onion or spring onion, pumpkins, goldenrod, Jerusalem artichokes, lovage, horseradish, tansy, lemon or lime balm, parsley, fennel, marjoram, nasturtium? can't have our asparagus, we love it too much, how about garlic?

[rowan]

Hey, I am looking for some Jerusalem artichoke tubers - would happily pay postage if you have a few left over to sell.

Cheers,
Rowan

[Guy]

I could suggest a community garden or some input from fellow bonsai addicts but that could lead to the dreaded "committee syndrome" and loss of control

[kcpoole]

Would love it to be famine to feast, but reality ain't quite so. Someone has to provide the seedlings, and they might cost. Someone has to plant them and care for them, it would be me, unpaid. Then it is gonna be weekly or daily care for a year or two before plants or products are grown to a saleable state.
I suppose my biggest worry is what size of bonsai hopefuls is profitable? Could I regularly sell one year plants for $10? Would I have to keep them for 5 years to make $50?

Interesting Question Greth, and I have no idea really as to how much a 5 yr tree would be ( $10/ year)
I doubt the care aspect would be too much on a day to day basis. Once the trees planted, then they really need not much in maintenance until restyle / lift replant time. The watering will take care of most of that
Suppose around late winter / spring it would be full on for as long s it took to do all the trees but between times it is sit back and watch

Ken