What can I use this land for ? Suggestions please .

[BBH]

When land is at a premium I'm trying to make mine productive but there is a bit Im stumped on.

It's a bit strange in that I bought some land with a river running through it at the far end. The other side of this river is about a third of an acre doing nothing. It needs clearing / weeding and is securely fenced by post n rail but other than clearing it once I haven't done anything with it.

It's too small for pony grazing but I'd like some suggestions for low maintenance activity . Someone suggested putting it on a land site for someone who wants land to have an allotment but I've never heard of such a thing .

Any ideas gratefully received .

 

[Polos]

You could have a vegetable patch on it or maybe keep some chickens on it? Alternatively as you suggested you could see if anyone would like to rent it to grow their on veg and things (like an allotment)

 

[dianchi]

If its got access def would look into the allotment idea, my housemate would kill for that!

 

[Dizzy socks]

Think allotment is good idea! Or what about a couple of goats??

 

[Polos Mum]

Get some pigs - they will love all the weeds and will clear and fertilise it for you - say 4 weaners in March will go to butchers in Sept so only need basic straw bale built shelter (in winter they'll need a concrete based house), keep one or 2 for your freezer and sell the other two to friends/ family to cover feed costs.
A 7 month old pig will give you c.50/70 kgs of meat each, depending on breed.
Mixed breed weaners are c£30 each and a butchered pig will sell for c.£200 (more if a pure breed)

 

[WelshD]

The pigs are a very good idea. We breed our sheep each year and also get a couple of weaners each spring and when they go off to be slaughtered the pork is more sought after and far more plentiful than the lamb!

Failing that I breed chickens and a lot of chicken breeders find they cannot keep cockerels at home and more and more allotments are clamping down on chicken keeping and so there is always demand for a bit of waste ground to use.

 

[Pamfyson]

Plant some fruit trees. We have just done this with a small unusable patch on our land.

 

[Cowpony]

Depending on how many horses you have, maybe keep it as a small rehab paddock for when they aren't on box rest any more but you don't want them hooning around with the rest of the herd? We have a small paddock like this at our yard and it's great for letting them have a pick of grass and a roll for an hour or so when they're supposed to be kept quiet.

 

[daughter's groom]

Loads of people looking for alltments these days and they are in short supply. could you just advertise locally. not much ££££'s in it I think but perhaps lots of fresh vegetables

 

[yaffsimone1]

The allotment is a good idea, but also do you own the fishing rights to the stretch of river? you could sell fishing permits - I hate fishing but my brother did it when he a similar situation to you

 

[Angus' yard]

I second the fruit trees idea!

 

[Spot_the_Risk]

Pigs, poultry, Christmas tree plantation...

 

[BBH]

Thanks for your suggestions everyone . I think I'm liking the simplicity of the fruit trees and if I can get some apples down there the horses will be very happy x

 

[smellsofhorse]

I think it wound be great as an allotment.
Either for yourself, just grow some carrots etc!
Or produce more products for yourself, it really isn't hard work once its established.
Or as you mentioned, rent to someone so they can have an allotment.

 

[Highlands]

I second the fruit trees idea!

Agree but try mixed we planted bat willow and it pays well but you have to wait a while!

 

[ridefast]

Oooh have some ducky ducks!

 

[BBH]

Haha I have wild ducks that come to the pond and river every year which is lovely but I wouldn't have pet ducks, chickens etc because there are foxes here.