Rl Marler

Hi Denise - good to know about Grand Junction. Water is going to be a concern in any of the locations in NM and AZ also and is probably my number one reason against moving there.

Wow! thanks Dwight! If we decide to buy here (we are also looking at New Mexico, Arizona, and Grand Junction, CO), I will definitely take you up on that offer. I'd love both, and the sand plums.

My plan is to look for a property which will remain about 40% in trees; 20% in wildflower and deer feeding plots; and 40% with house, buildings, veg plot, and chickens. I am not marketing for sale so this is to provide for us alone (2) and excess I will donate to a food kitchen.

I've compiled a working list of trees that I would want, but the first thing to do is a tree inventory on whatever property we buy (if in OK).  All invasive Red Cedars will be removed, taken to a sawmill and planed for lumber or for a Cordwood building. I'd like to plan on making a hedgerow for something of a windbreak but also for native birds and wildlife to forage.

For those who might be interested (could apply with some adaption to Texas, Missouri, or Arkansas) this is my working list so far --

Shrubs:
Sand Plum, Chickasaw Plum (Prunus angustifolia)
Golden Currant (also called Buffalo or Spice Currant) (Ribes aureum Pursh var. aureum)
Serviceberry (Saskatoon variety) (Amelanchier arbor, is a native)
Sumac (look at Fragrant sumac (R. aromatica)
Flowering Quince (Common is a native variety - Common)
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa).
American Beautyberry (Callicarpa americana)
Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua) or Possumhaw

Trees:
Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Western Soapberry (Sapindus drummondii)
Black Cherry (prefers eastern OK)
Crabapple Prairifire (Malus x 'Prairifire')
Wild Plum (Prunus americana)
Persimmon ((Diospyros virginiana))
Mulberry (Morus rubra), (Morus microphylla), (Morus nigra)
PawPaw (Asimina triloba)
Pecan trees (look for Shawnee, Stuart, Pawnee, Mohawk, Mount, Paruque and Kanza varieties in Central OK)
Hackberry (Celtis occidentalis)
Kentucky (Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioicus)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)

Native Wildflowers: to attract bees and butterflies
Prairie Pusstytoes
Indian Paintbrush
Agastache (Hyssop) Anise Hyssop
Golden Crownbeard
Eastern Purple Coneflower (Coneflower)
Indian Blanket
Wild Bergamot
Basketflower
Maximillian Sunflower
Blazing Star
Aromatic Aster
Blue Sage
Milkweed: Green Antelopehorn
Butterfly Weed / Butterfly Milkweed
Showy Milkweed

We found a lot of these native wildflowers being sold at the
Sand Springs Herbal Affair, Saturday, April 16th from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. ;
Jenks Herb and Plant Festival April 23, 2022 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.;
Tulsa Audubon Backyard Habitat Tour, May 14 (Sat. 9:00 to 5:00)  and May 15 (Sun. 12:00-5:00);
and check out
OKC Flower and Garden Fest, OKC Myriad Botanical Gardens, May 7 Saturday 9:00-4:00

Becky

Thanks, I will check those out.

Have you looked into Cob or Cordwood building? These can be built for low cost, you could even host a workshop about how to do it, and lots of resources on the internet on how to do this, as well as some great books on the subject. Other options would be to do something that would tie into your local community such as if you have a train, you could do storage container homes.

JMO but for AirBnB offering something unique is all for the good as the market is getting saturated. Be sure to log into AirBnB and see what the area is offering - what do you want to duplicate, what is booking, and what do you not want to do as there are too many others like it.

I have a pinterest account where I've posted a lot of different ideas for small or tiny homes. Find me under the name Front Porch Cozy.

Hi everyone -

I currently live in Tulsa OK and our suburban house goes will be listed in March. We expect it to sell quickly in this type of market.

We are considering moving to Norman, either around Lake Thunderbird, or south of Norman,(possibly Slaughterville or Noble), seeking 5 to 20 acres (depends on how far we can stretch our money and what is available). It must have internet as we both telecommute. We will either build or remodel a house (if one is on the property). Both of our kids are grown so school systems are not important to us.

Ideally, I'd like to build a small home plus 2 tiny homes for AirBnB retreats.

1.) other than realtor dot com and landwatch dot com, where can I look for land available?

2.) due to our late spring frosts and hot summers is it even realistic to think I could grow fruit trees? I'm seeing a lot of no when using Google. Where would I find the native fruit trees such as Persimmon (we have one on the horse property where we boarded - it was super sour even ripe!), Paw Paw, Red Mulberry, Choke Cherry, and wild Plums? Is there anyone cultivating these wild trees or should I just prowl the woods?

3.) I'd like to blend permaculture ideas with a space for wildlife and another area for a cottage garden near the house. I'm only interested in enough veg (that we like to eat) for ourselves, and will donate the excess to a food insecurity group (no market garden for me).

4.) looking for local community (I lean liberal) to meet up with and share ideas and stories.

5.) Any tips on how to buy land such as how to avoid pitfalls, what to know before making an offer, and how to finance through a bank (we have the credit but I know banks hesitate to loan on bare land).

Thanks!

Becky

Hi Monica -

When you say Central OK, where is your nearest town, that would give me an idea on what help you might find.

Oklahoma is in the Cross Timbers so land that is in Tulsa will be quite different than OKC area. I'm guessing you are more like OKC land so you'd need to plan for sandy and clay soil - so I would suggest amending soil be a top priority. Things you could thing about is making Hugelkultur beds, especially if you plan to remove trees (though I'd keep however many you can, and don't bother using red cedar in Hugelkultur - I'm not sure it would rot quickly).

Most of the bigger cities have some sort of dump for trees and clippings that you can access for free. I'd check into that as you can use it to make beds or to start augmenting soil.

We also get very hot summers and a friend of mine who was living in Mannford had to plan for some filtered shade by the time July and August runs around even for full-sun plants. Full-sun in Oklahoma will burn your face off!

We also have a problem with having warming weather and than a late frost. If planting flowering trees or bushes, I'd chose ones that flower as late as possible in the spring.

Willing to help - though not a master, only a beginner. Although I know Oklahoma very well from living here a long time.

Becky