Where to start growing on a plot of land...

[greenthumbbeginner]

(if the ground is suitable)

I think that is the operative phrase eh? I don't know could they manage?

It is heavy clay as mentioned but south facing with pretty much unhampered sun throughout the day so that should play in its favour? Would it be enough to override the clay situation as I read they don't like that?

They aren't cheap for a few year old trees either, which I think I would prefer to buy, so wouldn't want to invest hundreds on trees and they all died. If you all reckon they might be ok seems worth a punt.

What is funny is that the higher points, which are two crests, are where the largest amounts of reeds are, yet in the dip between the two, where there was even a stream trickling into the land, has no reeds to speak of and mostly just the long whispy grass which is mostly dead now and turned to hay.

I have not seen water sources where the reeds are so seems strange as I would have expected the opposite and for them to gather around where the stream exits.

Anyhow I spent the last couple of days digging a trench to direct that little stream through the middle of the land and have it going out nearer the bottom where the willows are. So will be great for drainage I guess as before it was constantly soaking into the whole field, in that area at least and it is in a king of bowl, or depression, I don't think that accounts for the water through the whole field.

There is another one that exits right at the bottom but unsure where it runs under the ground.

Although I thought it might be the runoff from this one I notice it hasn't dried up, the other one having been diverted more than 24 hours ago, so guess it has it's own source but not sure its trajectory under the land.

[greenthumbbeginner]

Sounds like you have a really good plan, then. Brilliant.

My Seymour edition is very gung-ho, especially in the section about livestock.

Ah that might be the reason for differing views then, I don't eat meat so have not read that section!

I knew from the start it would be hard graft. I think I have a fairly good idea having worked on the market garden what was involved.

I found it rewarding work then and am finding the same now. The hours fly by when tasks are at hand.

Anyhow I took the plunge today and bought a bunch of seeds. Very cheap so not a big deal to do some experimenting! The most expensive item are the potatoes which I could not buy seeds for. Why is that? They must have started from seeds once? Chicken or the eggs type thing? I had to buy the 'seed potatoes'.

I just had a quite browse around for what grows in spring as well as what John Seymour recommends in his book and have gone with some strawberries, beans, peas, turnips, and potatoes. Apart from the potatoes got a couple varieties of each of the others and got 'first earlies' where I saw them.

[greenthumbbeginner]

Oh and btw I appreciate the helpful and encouraging replies from people so far.

Seems like friendly folks here.

[Nicos]

^^^^ you are welcome!
And yes, we are

Exciting times ahead for you…remember to take photos…you’ll regret it if you don’t in years to come

[Penellype]

This video covers the main points when planting a tree in clay soil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEJdiyYZ6nQ. I think as long as you choose a site which is not waterlogged, mixing plenty of organic material, plant the tree on a slight mound and mulch it without covering the bottom of the trunk with the mulch you will probably be ok. If you are planting apple trees, some varieties are more tolerant of clay soil than others, so do a bit of research and choose your trees carefully.

With regard to potato seeds, you can grow potato plants from seed, but I'm not sure if you would get a decent crop in the first year. The main reason for growing potatoes from seed potatoes (rather than seeds) is that you are growing a clone of a known variety (genetically identical), with specific characteristics. If you grow potatoes from seeds each seed is genetically unique and you don't know what you are going to get. It is therefore much more reliable to use seed potatoes. If you find a variety you particularly like you can keep some potatoes to use as seed potatoes next year as long as they are not diseased. This is not recommended by books, but I have grown potatoes from saved tubers for the past 5 years with no apparent problems.