Contact county extension office they will be able to help you to see how they do things in your area.

I would consider planting multiple varieties of berries. Raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries, elderberries, strawberries, blueberries. See what does well. Bush beans also require minimal care. Pumpkins, squash, melons. All of these can grow quite independently. But, they would do best if the soil is amended with rich compost and/or shredded leaves to improve drainage and moisture retention and increase the micronutrient bioavailability. How much rain does this area get during the growing season? Lots of variables to consider when choosing what to farm. I'm curious why you are buying 100 acres but only planting less than one acre. Can you give us any more details?

Martha

Definitely contact the extension office first thing. We had a guy buy a farm and loaded it with peach trees. Sounds like a great idea except for the uncontrollable fungus that decimated his crop every year. Needless to say he bought the farm. I felt bad for him.

This property fronts the Pacific Ocean and has 1500' of coastline. A really beautiful place. It's going to be my retirement spot in X years. Gonna be great fishing. That's mainly what I'm buying it for; not to farm. But I will have to do some planting because I am told if left unattended grass will grow and I have to mow it (can't imagine that mow job!). The place gets 41 inches of rain annually from 82 rainy days. There is a creek that feeds into a pond already built, so water situation seems OK. As far as I know this land and nearby lands have always been used to raise cattle. Before the land was cleared for ranching there were cypress trees native to California.

I would continue with cattle then or some other grazing animals. I don't know about there but most farming communities are great about helping out. Things like taking cattle to sales or feeding if you can't be there. Some want just want the favor returned a trade others do want some pay. Talk to the neighbors. A random thought is raising feeders for a constant sale. Just need to keep a check on the health of the nursing mothers. I know most people around here artificial inseminate because they can get larger sized calves to sale.

If you can afford cattle, they are a great investment, especially if it's already got fencing set up. I would definitely get the soil tested. The Weston A Price Foundation sells some books on soil testing and amending the soil, they have a brand new one but I can't remember what it's called. Grass fed cows are a good way to help with cash flow. Beautiful property!! You certainly got a wonderful location, I'm so jealous, ha ha! Wish I was there too. : )

I just visited the property. The property is over-grown with weeds. Below is a picture of the weed which is about 4-5' tall. Anyone know what type of weed this is? And is it easy to get rid of them? 100 acres of mowing seems a daunting task for me....

Goats eat anything. I can tell what kind of weed it is in the picture but if it's brittle it will just break and rot. If it's a some kind of shrub that's another story. Some tough perinals can be problematic. Here in we fight "wild roses" and blackberries. The wild roses I don't think are a rose but the do smell like them.

Not to criticize and please don't take it as so but goats will not eat anything,here in ky they will not touch wild mint for starters in Louisiana they left what was called goat weed. Your extension office would be your best bet to identify and come up with a solution

I found out this weed is called "thistles". Anyone knows about this plant?

Looks like if you want to kill 'em without using toxic weedkillers like roundup, you'll need to either mow it or pay someone to come and mow it. when to kill thistles.

Here are more details on which type of thistle they are: http://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Thistles.

I burned a patch of thistles and it didn't hurt them one bit, though it was before they were growing (early spring).

Current owner has been paying for someone to mow them down. I am looking for something more permanent, because I hope to grow an orchard, so in the future mowing can be a difficult task. (right now is one open pasture). I was told to also get some sheep to graze on them. Does that work?!?!

Mow them as close as possible. You're gonna have to do this a few times as well. Try grazing cows there too. Regarding letting sheep graze there, I wouldn't do that to a sheep. http://www.sheepmagazine.com/28-5/laurie_ball-gisch/

The only other solution I can think of is to grow something to 'shade them out'. Apparently thistles are a huge pain in the butt.

Seriously, read that article, they also point out that thistles don't like to grow in good rich soil, which is something to ponder if you want to put an orchard in. Hope this helps! :D