Hi All,
Pleased to meet you, my name is Richard. I've been reading the site for a few weeks now (very informative i must add).
Im about to move with my family (wife and 3 kids) to a house up in Haworth (Bronte country in Yorkshire). The house comes with a 1.5 acre field next to it and is off the beaten track. The field currently has sheep grazing on it.
I would really like to have a go at having a small holding and not just having the land sit there doing nothing.
Plan is to have chickens, a house cow (a shetland)...and a veg growing area...oh, and my 10 year old daughter is desperate for her own pony....and possibly further down the line in the future a few weaners for meat.
Im wondering if its going to be a choice between cow and pony due to amount of land!?
Do this sound feasible with the amount of land i have?...i know its not loads of land!
This isnt going to be an overnight thing and the animals probably wont come along until this time next year now.
I intend on using this year to prepare field i.e test soil, possibly rotavate and reseed with grass and flora and get it in good condition for grazing.
The soil as far as i know is peat.
A few questions I have if you dont mind me asking!
Whats best way to go about soil testing - do it yourself or send off the soil?
Do you have any tips on best grass and wildflower to grow on peat?
Regarding the house cow...if the cow (a Shetland) is with calf at foot does the cow still need daily milking?...
Are there any farmers/small holding people on here from the area?
Any other hints and tips on making taking the 1st steps into small holdings will be gratefully received.
Thanks,
Richard