Preparing Site #1
Finding the Perfect Spot: The First Steps Toward North Forest Farms
This weekend, we took a major step forward in bringing North Forest Farms to life. With a soil meter in hand, we spent time walking the property, carefully searching for the ideal site to plant our first blackberries. It was more than just finding an open space—it was about discovering the perfect balance of sunlight, drainage, and soil composition to give our future berry bushes the best chance to thrive.
Choosing Site #1
Blackberries love well-drained soil, plenty of sunlight, and a slightly acidic pH, so we tested multiple areas before settling on what will now be known as “Site #1.” This spot checked all the right boxes—good drainage, solid sun exposure, and promising soil that we can fine-tune as we prepare the ground. But as we quickly realized, choosing the site was the easy part—now, the real work begins.
Clearing the Land: A Big Task with Big Benefits
Before we can bring in the wood chipper and tiller, Site #1 needs to be cleared—and that’s no small feat. The land is full of downed trees, overgrown brush, and tangled undergrowth. But rather than seeing this as just an obstacle, we see an opportunity.
Blackberries love a good layer of mulch, and luckily, we’ve got plenty of natural material to work with. The wood chipper will turn smaller trees and branches into rich mulch that will help the soil retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve organic matter over time. But not everything can be chipped—some of the larger logs will need to be cut and set aside for other uses.
Making Use of Every Resource
Instead of just clearing and discarding, we’re thinking ahead about how we can use what’s already on the land. The biggest logs that can’t be chipped will be set aside for farm barriers, creative landscaping features, or other unique projects around the farm. And worst case? They’ll become extra firewood, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
Finding the Right Equipment
With the clearing process underway, the next step is sourcing the right equipment. We need to find a reasonably priced mulcher that can handle the volume of wood we’ll be processing. Renting a gas-powered tiller is also on the table, unless we can find an affordable one to purchase. These tools are essential for preparing Site #1, breaking up the soil, and getting the area ready for planting next month.
Looking Ahead
Our goal is to be able to get into Site #1 next month with the tiller and begin planting the first blackberry roots. Until then, we’ll continue tracking down the right equipment to make the process as efficient as possible.
It’s a big undertaking, but every step brings us closer to a fully operational blackberry farm. We’re excited for what’s ahead and looking forward to seeing Site #1 transform from an overgrown patch of land into a thriving blackberry orchard.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue the journey at North Forest Farms!
