We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to figure
out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really plant
anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.

Would raspberries get established quickly enough? Can anyone
recommend anything else that would be a good choice? I do prefer things
that come back the next year, like the things I've mentioned above.
However, I would also be open to a few annuals.

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:42:40 -0500, Ohioguy wrote:

We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to figure
out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really plant
anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.

Would raspberries get established quickly enough? Can anyone
recommend anything else that would be a good choice? I do prefer things
that come back the next year, like the things I've mentioned above.
However, I would also be open to a few annuals.

Raspberries are essentially a weed, you should get something almost
immediately. Blueberries will give you some yield in the first few years
but they don't really start to put out for five years or so. Strawberries
yield immediately. In the case of all berries it's very important to
protect them from birds. I have a netting cage around my blueberries and
I put chicken wire hats over my strawberries. Without protection you
won't get a single berry.

It's been 20 years since I grew asparagus but as I recall that takes
several years before you can harvest anything.

If you are only planning on staying for three years I'd stick to annuals
like tomatoes.

Ohioguy wrote:
We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to
figure out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really
plant anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.


Strawberries and rhubarb will produce in a few months and go on for several
years at least, I wouldn't bother with trees or asparagus.

David

Ohioguy said:


We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to
figure
out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really plant
anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.

Forget the peach and the asparagus. (Well, maybe a dwarfed peach
tree in a planter--take it with you when you move.) By the time
they really start producing, you will be leaving them behind.

Strawberries reach full production the next year after planting.

Rhubarb, I don't know. (I am allergic to it!)

Would raspberries get established quickly enough?

Yes, the second year after planting you should get a good crop,
especially if you choose a variety that is a fall-bearer. I recommend
Polana, which makes a great fall crop (and a good summer crop, too).

--
Pat in Plymouth, MI

In article , says...


I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,

So we're on the same page...

Would that have been a 6 or 7 year old tree?

On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:42:40 -0500, Ohioguy wrote:

We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to figure
out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really plant
anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.

Would raspberries get established quickly enough? Can anyone
recommend anything else that would be a good choice? I do prefer things
that come back the next year, like the things I've mentioned above.
However, I would also be open to a few annuals.


Asparagus and rhubarb both have limits on how much you can harvest in
the early years. First year, none. Second year maybe a week. And it
is about 3 or 4 years before you can harvest very long. I don't have
the exact instructions right here now. I started rhubarb from seed
last year and was not supposed to harvest at all. These plants need
the growth to feed the roots until they are established.

We moved here 6 years ago and started putting in fruit trees. We
still are not getting enough fruit to do anything with, maybe a few to
eat.

If you feel really generous, plant lots of expensive fruit trees for
the next owner. Otherwise, plant tomatoes and peppers.
--
USA
North Carolina Foothills
USDA Zone 7a

The Cook wrote:
On Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:42:40 -0500, Ohioguy wrote:

We are buying a house, and it is likely we will be at the place for
around 3 or 4 years before moving. As such, I've been trying to
figure out what plants to focus on. Obviously, we shouldn't really
plant anything that takes 4+ years to mature.

I seem to recall planting a Hale Haven peach, and getting a decent
crop the second year from that. Also, I was thinking of rhubarb,
perhaps some strawberries, and maybe asparagus.

Would raspberries get established quickly enough? Can anyone
recommend anything else that would be a good choice? I do prefer
things that come back the next year, like the things I've mentioned
above. However, I would also be open to a few annuals.


Asparagus and rhubarb both have limits on how much you can harvest in
the early years. First year, none. Second year maybe a week. And it
is about 3 or 4 years before you can harvest very long. I don't have
the exact instructions right here now. I started rhubarb from seed
last year and was not supposed to harvest at all. These plants need
the growth to feed the roots until they are established.


If you plant rhubarb from sets you will be harvesting within a year and
quite possibly within months if you have a good growing season and fertile
soil. Unlike asparagus where you have to hold off cutting to be sure the
plants produce enough top growth to store energy for the next year with
rhubarb you can see how it is growing at the time and so it is easier to
judge when to stop cutting.

David

Would that have been a 6 or 7 year old tree?

Well, it was about 2" across at the base, and it was in a 20 gallon
pot. I paid a little over $20 for it. I'd guess it was several years
old when I planted it, so it probably got a head start over many of the
others. You could tell it was a lot bulkier than all of the other trees
there in that section, which is one of the reasons I bought it.