What to do with/plant on property?

[Chad2660]

This may be a strange question but to explain, we purchased approx. 5 acres of open farm land which we built a house on a few years ago. We also purchased a BX2660 recently after moving in for mowing, landscaping and the general projects that have arose since then.

Because of recent changes, etc. we just don't have the time to mow all 5 acres.

Does anyone have any suggestion to what we can do with approx. 2.5-3 acres of or property so we don't have to mow it weekly, etc. I don't want to just let it go and brush hog it as I'd like to keep the clean look on our property, but I'm looking for suggestions. I'm OK with something that may take more work/time in the beginning (like planting trees, etc), but I'm looking for less overall upkeep. Does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[sandman2234]

Trees work great in this part of the world...
David from jax

 

[gghb]

find someone near you with a few sheep and ask them to use your pasture we pay 1 slaughter lamb for 6 sheep on 5 acres

greg

 

[radioman]

planting trees with a wide,thick canopy is the way to go like maples, oaks, etc. Just stay away from softwoods. it just makes a big mess.

 

[Artisan]

Contact a local landscaper, ask about Ground Cover. Do you have a neighbor you can lease it too? Maybe hay? Once a year he gets to mow and bail it? Maybe you can do that? My 2cents from the city! HA!:laughing:

 

[MossRoad]

Consult your state forester or your county extension agent. Alternating rows of white pines and mixed hardwood work out well in most places like Ohio and Indiana. The pines grow fast in a cone shape. That forces the hardwoods between them to be stressed and reach straight up for the sun. In 20-30 years you start harvesting the pines and are left with a hardwood forest with veneer quality timber to follow when you retire, or your kids retire, or their kids, depending. :laughing:

Many states will help you pay for the plantings. Back around 1990 we had 4 acres planted with 2150 trees for $265.00 after the state kicked back a 75% rebate because our soil type is highly erodible sand. :thumbsup:

Its worth looking into.

If anything, the local extension agent can give you ideas as to what to plant based on the soil types you have and the type of plantings you are interested in be it trees, wildflowers, prairie grass, food crops, etc...

 

[Egon]

Plant Native Grasses and Flowers. Then harvest and sell seeds.

 

[Rustyiron]

If it's currently in grass, it should be mostly free of unwanted weeds. Bush hogging 2-3 times a season at 6"-8" should keep it neet enough and really doesn't take that long. (20 yrs. for tree cover)

 

[2458n]

My vote is for hay. Trees are very long range and you are correct when mentioning grand children. The trees I planted 20 years ago still require mowing in a CRP program.

 

[whistlepig]

You want to consider ground cover. From what I have read Crown Vetch is the best thing in Ohio for ground cover. State of Ohio uses it a lot for places too steep to mow. You would have to prep the ground to get a good cover. Its not going to be a "mowed" look. The only way to get that is to mow.