Pecan Orchard - 03/28/17
I've been debating putting in a commercial pecan orchard. Would be in Southeast Texas, annual rainfall about 45-50 inches most years,and probably only about 10 days a year below freezing.
Here's what's holding me back:
1) part of the land will get periodic flooding every year or two, nothing too deep but the creek will get out of the banks for a day or so with 6 to 8 inches water before it runs off. This happens about every 2 years or so. Any varieties of pecan that I should stay away from due to this or is this part of the field just not worth planting? There are some native hickory in this part that seem to do ok even with the flooding.
2) I'm undecided on irrigation. there's a well that could be rigged over to irrigation but I'm thinking with our annual rainfall that it would only be needed a month or two in the summer most years. So leaning towards using a water truck to water during those two months rather than investing in a more permanent system. Any drawbacks other than labor to doing it that way?
2) start up costs is an issue. land's free and clear currently and would rather not put a mortgage on it that would have to be serviced for 5-10 years before money starts coming in. Intend to eventually do about 60-80 acres but don't have the cash to do it all at once. Any real downside other than yield would be staggered/spread out to planting 10 acres a year until its all done ?
Here's what's holding me back:
1) part of the land will get periodic flooding every year or two, nothing too deep but the creek will get out of the banks for a day or so with 6 to 8 inches water before it runs off. This happens about every 2 years or so. Any varieties of pecan that I should stay away from due to this or is this part of the field just not worth planting? There are some native hickory in this part that seem to do ok even with the flooding.
2) I'm undecided on irrigation. there's a well that could be rigged over to irrigation but I'm thinking with our annual rainfall that it would only be needed a month or two in the summer most years. So leaning towards using a water truck to water during those two months rather than investing in a more permanent system. Any drawbacks other than labor to doing it that way?
2) start up costs is an issue. land's free and clear currently and would rather not put a mortgage on it that would have to be serviced for 5-10 years before money starts coming in. Intend to eventually do about 60-80 acres but don't have the cash to do it all at once. Any real downside other than yield would be staggered/spread out to planting 10 acres a year until its all done ?