Homesteading in North Georgia ?

Greetings from N. GA. Richard here, interested in learning what I need to learn concerning homesteading in North GA, Cherokee County area. If there is anyone around N. GA that is homesteading or can advise me of the ins and outs, that would be great. At the moment, looking at terrain and feasiblitiy. Would like to have crops for self and some sales. Goats for milk and meat, chickens for eggs and meat, rabbits for meat and to supply good manure for garden/ worms. Maybe a fish pond or even a natural pool to swim in. Blue berries, black berries, apples, peaches, veggies all are part of the plan. Love this site.

Steve Lansing wrote:Greetings from N. GA. Richard here, interested in learning what I need to learn concerning homesteading in North GA, Cherokee County area. If there is anyone around N. GA that is homesteading or can advise me of the ins and outs, that would be great. At the moment, looking at terrain and feasiblitiy. Would like to have crops for self and some sales. Goats for milk and meat, chickens for eggs and meat, rabbits for meat and to supply good manure for garden/ worms. Maybe a fish pond or even a natural pool to swim in. Blue berries, black berries, apples, peaches, veggies all are part of the plan. Love this site.

Hi Steve! Wondering if you have an update. Did you ever find some land in North GA? We are currently looking to make the move from Atlanta and mostly looking around Pickens County, but open to most of N. Georgia. Sounds like we have a lot of similar goals and I'm wondering where you are in your journey?

We are currently looking for land in this area of Georgia.  Hoping to be prepared should the need arise for self sufficency.  Would consider joining forces with like minded people.  

Richard, I just bought a 5 acre homestead in Pickens county GA. I am looking for like minded folks to share experiences with and learn from.
I am in the planning stages, very early stages. My goal is to garden and raise some chickens. Eventually, I would like to add some pigs, goats, and maybe even a cow.
I feel that homesteaders are stronger and more successful together. Maybe we can get together and exchange ideas?

We are in North Ga and will be pulling community together soon for anyone who is interested.  I agree, we are stronger together no matter how far along we are in our journey.

If you are interested in connecting, please message here to get on the list.

Look forward to meeting like minds!

We currently live near Helen on a small 1 acre plot.  Our property has lots of trees and not much topsoil at all, just mostly clay, and the topsoil I bought has various molds and my turnips damp off every time.  We're fully retired (age 70) and we're looking to buy a few acres in a flatter area that has a lot more sun, just not in south Ga; we want to be above the gnat / fall line.

What is the

gnat / fall line.

please?

Is this it
The Georgia Gnat Line is an unofficial dividing line between where these gnats are more and less numerous. It generally runs from Columbus, to Macon, to Augusta. If you find yourself south of the gnat line, you are in prime gnat territory.   It turns out there is more to this gnat line than just the Central Georgia heat and humidity.
The gnat line follows Georgia's Fall Line.
The Fall Line is a true line dividing Georgia's Piedmont from the Coastal Plain.
North of this line, you'll find red clay soils and hills.
South of this line, the soil is sandy and the terrain is much flatter.
Technically speaking, the Gnat Line refers to a geographic fall line that geologists or archaeologists [or both] believe may have been a prehistoric beach or shoreline.
While the graphic map above shows the line beginning a little further north, most scientists believe it begins somewhere near the southeastern coastline of Virginia and proceeds south through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and on to the Gulf of Mexico.
The geographic region below this line is often referred to as the southeastern coastal plains region.


Several species of black flies or gnats prefer to live and reproduce in the sandy soils of central and south Georgia.
If you're finding yourself swarmed with gnats in your yard on a regular basis, there are a few things you can try;
- Eliminate sources of moisture.
- You can cut your grass more frequently to allow it to dry more efficiently, which may reduce the gnat count.
- Try to increase airflow.
- Limiting the number of tall bushes around your yard can make it a little more breezy.
- If you're on the porch and have a fan, having it on may keep the gnats away.
- If all else fails, hopefully some insect repellent can do the trick.

RELATED: Atlanta worst in nation for mosquitoes, pest company study finds

John C Daley wrote:What is the

gnat / fall line.

please?

Is this it
The Georgia Gnat Line is an unofficial dividing line between where these gnats are more and less numerous. It generally runs from Columbus, to Macon, to Augusta. If you find yourself south of the gnat line, you are in prime gnat territory.   It turns out there is more to this gnat line than just the Central Georgia heat and humidity.
The gnat line follows Georgia's Fall Line.
The Fall Line is a true line dividing Georgia's Piedmont from the Coastal Plain.
North of this line, you'll find red clay soils and hills.
South of this line, the soil is sandy and the terrain is much flatter.
Technically speaking, the Gnat Line refers to a geographic fall line that geologists or archaeologists [or both] believe may have been a prehistoric beach or shoreline.
While the graphic map above shows the line beginning a little further north, most scientists believe it begins somewhere near the southeastern coastline of Virginia and proceeds south through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama and on to the Gulf of Mexico.
The geographic region below this line is often referred to as the southeastern coastal plains region.


Several species of black flies or gnats prefer to live and reproduce in the sandy soils of central and south Georgia.
If you're finding yourself swarmed with gnats in your yard on a regular basis, there are a few things you can try;
- Eliminate sources of moisture.
- You can cut your grass more frequently to allow it to dry more efficiently, which may reduce the gnat count.
- Try to increase airflow.
- Limiting the number of tall bushes around your yard can make it a little more breezy.
- If you're on the porch and have a fan, having it on may keep the gnats away.
- If all else fails, hopefully some insect repellent can do the trick.

RELATED: Atlanta worst in nation for mosquitoes, pest company study finds

Wow John, you're from Australia and you dug this gold up?  That's impressive.  We "indigenous populous" of Georgia know the line exists; but not many know exactly where the line is.  In the winter we see snow coming and it stops cold at the fall line, year after year; and we notice when we go above Forsyth, Ga. the gnats are gone.  Thanks for the research!!  

Ricky Jackson wrote: Wow John, you're from Australia and you dug this gold up?  That's impressive.  We "indigenous populous" of Georgia know the line exists; but not many know exactly where the line is.  In the winter we see snow coming and it stops cold at the fall line, year after year; and we notice when we go above Forsyth, Ga. the gnats are gone.  Thanks for the research!!  

Can confirm. The presence of gnats in Cherokee County (adjacent to Forsyth) is noticeable, although I wouldn't describe it as being swarmed by a cloud of knats. We're further north from the fall line, so that may explain it.

In response to the June 8, 2021 post. We are relocating to Gordon county for our first homestead on 3+ acres. Would love to find like minded people and build community.