pls8xx and gardenga148: I completely concur that the project should be broken down into 2 broad areas: (1) Land use/land planning for the overall 70 acres (2) Conversion of a small part to residential use I am still contemplating #1. However, I do believe I have settled on an aspect of overall land use. I believe, basically along or near the nature path, an area of sufficient width and composition to benefit bobwhite quail usage. In the old days, farms had small fields with lots of overgrown fence rows. That habitat was ideal for bobwhite quail. I believe I want to lay out the farm along those parameters (knowing that certain desires/goals compete with others). My research, consultation with my pastor (former horitculturalist and quail plantation manager) and personal experience are leading me to a strip approximately 15 feet wide of lespedeza intermixed with something like switchgrass or one of the other native grasses. I believe I want to combine the "habitat utility" of those or similar plants with a stepped (height and width) variety of native flowering, perennial plants, choosing a variety which is consistent with the wildlife management goal and visual appeal goal. There is a substantial likelihood that I would also break up the 28 acre agricultural field with a couple of cross corridors of similar plant material. These are among the types of things I am struggling with now. Comment on layout, continuity, plant selection and the like are what I am seeking. As each of you have said, this is a huge, long-term project and I seek input from others who's experience may bear on the layout, design and plant selection. I understand there are many, many different "right" and "wrong" ways. However, respecting the opinions of those participating in these forums, I would be interesting in reading your opinions and views and why you have those opinions and views. With respect to what I hoped to achieve with the pond. I like water. I like the ocean, rivers (large and small), lakes and ponds. I like to fish ocassionally but what I REALLY like is to feed the fish. It is very soothing. The pond can be an attractive focal point to the landscape. It can provide the "mirrored" images of the foliage surrounding it. And, if need be, it can provide for some irrigation. I have always liked looking out across the water, of sitting on my porch and looking across the water. I liked the idea of driving down the driveway into the house site and looking at the house across the pond as well. Back to another aspect of the overall land use. We initially intended to put the entire property into a pecan orchard, for both looks and future revenue. However, knowing there are always bad years along with good years with any crop, we decided that was not very smart. We also became interested in muscadine vineyards and fruit production. So, we will probably incorporate a bit of the pecan orchard, vineyard and fruit orchard. We want approximately 1/2 to 1 acre vegetable garden site. I believe we also want a "gardening" experimentation site of approximately 1/2 to 1 acre as well as a small greenhouse. I strongly expect we will leave the remaining oak ridge in mostly an as-is condition for the wildlife usage, but, with some modification to make in more friendly to the turkey and quail. I seem to have rambled a bit and apologize. But, with such a large overall project, it is difficult to include all the desires and keep them organized and coordinated. nandina, with respect to the observation of native flora, existing but possibly hidden features, I will try to do some walking and photographing this weekend. One focal point at the northern most point of the property where you see Potential Well Location, there was an old homeplace there. The shallow well still remains there. I expect to clean that well out and hang a usable well bucket there. An arbor is a possibility there. It could be purely decorative or be a "natural" appearing arbor with cultured muscadine vines so one could sit on a draw a bucket of cool well water, pick a few grapes, sit on a wooden bench, eat the grapes and look out over the landscape. One feature I didn't know about until buying and spending time on the farm is that for whatever reason, it attacts substantially more summer and fall breezes than most areas in the surrounding countryside. Thank you all again for your input and I look forward to more comments, critiques and suggestions. I will attach images of some of the wildflowers or weeds growing in the cut-over areas now.

Hi all! OP here... Just a follow up for everyone. I managed to find it at a place in Puyallup today via a google search that pulled up a 20 year old article on the PI (local paper) archives. I took a chance and the place was still in business. Woot! I was able to get 4 pounds of it which should get me through the carton of cherries I got yesterday. We're pitting like crazy here (I broke down and got a second pitter. The paring knife was NOT cutting it, so to speak...) and the pie is about to go in the over. FWIW, I called the Pierce County extension office (I took my Master Canner certification through them several years back since King County got rid of the program) and they had no idea who to go to. They suggested two places (McLendons and another local hardware store) as well as ordering it online. I tried calling Target and Walmart as well. No luck there. I'm goingto check out cash-n-carry next time I am over there to see if they have it. I think I'll want to stock up so this does not happen in the future if all goes well with the Great Cherry Experiment Of 2009 =D Honestly, when it comes to canning, I'm usually MUCH more prepared than this. I was caught by surprise at actually finding sour pie cherries at the farmers market (I went there for sweet ones for jam) and when I saw them I had to snap them all up! (being only .50 a pound helped too!) I swear, one of these days I 'm going to bite the bullet and open a canners co-op where we can all buy in bulk from manufacturers for stuff like this and jar, lids, pectin...

I hope many seasoned organic gardeners will jump in here and correct me where necessary. I've learned three tricks on this web site to avoid using inorganic methods. But before I continue, I'll say here that I've learned that the difference between organic and non-organic methods is greatly one of perspective. Organic gardeners work with nature and believe it is often unrealistic to expect complete and permanent eradication of an undesirable plant. Non-organic gardeners often seem to have the attitude that a few applications of a really effective chemical will "solve" the problem once and for all. So, the first nature friendly method is to mechanically remove. Dig roots out where possible, but where not possible, and EXCLUDING POISON IVY INFESTATIONS, keep everything cut to ground level, with a string trimmer, brush cutter, walk behind mower, goats, whatever. The idea behind keeping the area cut is at first growth may be stimulated, but over time, if roots don't ever have the chance to photosynthesize, they will give up. Obviously this approach won't work for plants that have long horizontal root systems. I am going to try string trimming poision ivy only if I am wearing a bio-hazard suit. :) The second nature friendly method is to get to know your soil where the weeds are the worst. Then, amend that soil to become much more acid or alkaline, or for a different mineral balance. I've had great luck dealing with weeds that grow in grassy areas by heavily mulching. The decomposition process uses up most of the nitrogen under the mulch, and whatever survives is easily pulled out because the root systems' soil becomes so much less compacted. You say you have violets and poison ivy. These broad leafed plants prefer acidic soil, I believe, so maybe in your case some horticultural lime would help. The third method, maybe not as nature friendly because you might lose beneficial soil organisms, is called solarizing. Covering the area not only to shade out all light but also to "cook" sprouts can be done with sheets of black plastic. It could get too hot for your earthworms, though. I'm dealing with a fenceline a bit like yours. As an organic gardener, I am not in a hurry, nor do I expect a perfect urban yard appearance. if I didn't have some plants around I want to keep, I'd just get the goats. :) This post was edited by pontyrogof on Sat, Jun 14, 14 at 12:51

jdez you have good ideas but I would hate for guest to use my kids bathroom. We wanted them to have their own private space. That's the reason for two separate toilets. LOL Thank you for loving the layout. I give credit to our inspiration plan! Karenseb- the safe room is actually to conceal my husband gun safe and amno. We don't really have tornado's down here but hurricanes are a different story. Also the stairs go up to the bonus room over the garage. That will be the kids game/ tv space.