cheapskate land clearing

[kalakoa]

The all-important "phase 2" of a clearing project is: groundcover, and lots of it, or else you're mowing it at least once-twice/month.

If you're fenced for pigs, sweet potato is awesome as it also bears food. Peanutgrass is also a good choice; when fully established, it will choke out most other weeds, and it doesn't really need to be mowed (added bonus: it's a nitrogen-fixer). Mint works well as a groundcover when the conditions are just right; try it in different places to find the ideal spot.

Local climate means that more things can be used as "groundcover", such as planting a tiny forest of impatiens, which would otherwise be more seasonal on the mainland.

Establish the groundcover as you plant; later, you avoid nicking trees with the string trimmer because there's no weeds growing there.

I've found that sweet potato goes well with banana, and use peanutgrass (or mint) around the base of fruit trees.

[MarkP]

I had the back half of my one acre lot in Eden Roc bulldozed after a fire swept through. Lots of weeds have grown up in the cleared area. Among those weeds is the Yellow Himalayan Raspberry, an awful thorny beast. I went around hand picking the little ones and effectively suppressed them that way. I let it go and now they are growing back so I have to renew my efforts. My point is that a consistent and continuous effort can reap large benefits even if the effort at any one time is small.

[mailes]

Awesome ideas.

When you folks are talking about peanut grass; is that the same thing as perennial peanut? If so, where would you buy it? Do you spread seeds or cuttings or rooted plants?

Thanks

[unknownjulie]

YEs, perrenial peanut. I called all over. YOu can get sod pieces of it from Garden Exchange, but on an intermittent basis $11 per piece. You can also get seed from them intermittently, but they are currently out, and there is a "worldwide seed shortage", due to the economic slowdown, and now that things are "picking up" they dont have enough seeds. I ended up buying some cuttings at Makuu Farmers Market in Pahoa from Ano. IT's expensive though to do it this way, 35 for two flats, and bring scissors! I did not have scissors and just had to rip the plants apart and stick them in the ground- which luckily- seemed ok, but I might loose a few plants. I still need to buy more, but it appears to spread readily.

[unknownjulie]

Should have added, I did see clover seed at Home Depot. I might try that at some point as well for a ground cover and much much cheaper, but might not be hardy enough. It was in a small canister container over by the big bags of grass seed.

[unknownjulie]

went out to the lot today. The perenial peanut lives up to it's billing. It is thriving. I have reached the conclusion that I will have to hire a dozer and probably a big one. There are 10 foot variations in elevation on my lot. Somehow a housepad and driveway have to be leveled and cut in. I want to have an exact plan though prior to hiring anyone, so I'm still tramping around, handclearing, trying to figure it out.

[nana valley]

Found this web site on perennial peanut ground cover.
http://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/sustainag/Co...peanut.asp



He who hoots with owls at night cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.

[YurtGirl]

Rainy Jim, please do your research before posting. We don't EVER mark up our yurts. We chose a company to work with to make our yurts to our specifications, which means better metals that withstand our climate, and upgrades that make our yurts last longer and perform better in our climate. We are not a 'middle man'. We are well known in the industry as whole for our progress in permitting, insuring, and setting needed standards.

Thank you, Julie, for the good words! I love the imagery of you on the sheet of cardboard, surfing through the brush!

Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973

[YurtGirl]

Also, as I mentioned to you Julie, we have helped with a LOT of land clearing for our clients over the years, and I stand by my experience that a large excavator with a skilled operator is far and beyond a better value and less destructive when aiming to selectively clear land. And they can save you several hundred dollars if you have them dig the cesspool at the same time.

Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973

[YurtGirl]

One more note, Rainy Jim, it is one acre minimum that is needed for a cesspool. Not three. Research before spreading misinformation.

Melissa Fletcher
___________________________
"Make yurts, not war" Bill Coperthwaite, 1973