Central Texas Olive Ranch / Wedding Venue

[Clay45]

OldMacDonald;

I have no idea of the variety. The olives were good size but not huge. The blooms were large and bright white.

Regards,

Clay

 

[OldMcDonald]

Sounds like it was not the olive we know for oil and table use, but Osmanthus fragrans aka Sweet Olive, a completely different species, and referred to earlier in the thread. See posts #33 & 34.

 

[Cjm005]

Been quite busy lately. Times are tough in the oil patch but we are limping along with layoffs and such. The weather has been beautiful lately in central Texas - mid sixties and seventies with occasional showers.

We have one side of the fence done, which was 1800'. My neighbor and I split the cost, ended up using 2-7/8" drill pipe for posts and tight lock wire with barbed on top and bottom. I wanted 4" square spacing but we agreed on 6". Hopefully the future goats keep their heads out.

Also been busy clearing the fence lines, doing some light dirt work and mowing. The youpon trees are killer... I'm trying a round up and diesel mix to see what works.

The well is going will be started in a week or so! I'll be doing soil tests soon as well. Slow progress is progress! To the pics...

 

[txdon]

Good corners, nice looking fence.

 

[EddieWalker]

I wanted 4" square spacing but we agreed on 6". Hopefully the future goats keep their heads out.

What about keeping coyotes out? For me, that's what I'm thinking about the most when planning my fence

 

[Cjm005]

What about keeping coyotes out? For me, that's what I'm thinking about the most when planning my fence

I'm sure they could dig under if they really wanted to ... I haven't heard them around yet, but they might be out there. There is a strand on the bottom. I'm more worried about the feral hogs than the coyotes. A mule will do wonders to keep the coyotes out.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I see a lot of hard work has been done. Everything looking good.

Not sure if I understood you, are you, or your neighbor going to have goats?

I haven't had trouble with feral hogs, but I do not put up a deer feeder either. They are known for attracting hogs.

The coyotes around mainly live in the dense scrub oak areas to our south. We hear them occasionally, and sometimes they get close. My neighbor is missing some of his 6-8 month old cats. Coyotes or possibly coons or a great horned owl?

 

[OldMcDonald]

Cjm005, If you are going to have goats, then you need an absolutely totally goat proof fence around the olive trees. If not the goats will eat the trees.

 

[flusher]

Cjm005, If you are going to have goats, then you need an absolutely totally goat proof fence around the olive trees. If not the goats will eat the trees.

Very true. My neighbor has both olive trees (100 year old trees bearing hand-picked table olives) and goats. Standing on the hind legs, an adult goat can prune (i.e. consume) branches 5 or 6 feet high. Doesn't seem to bother these trees. But goats will probably completely consume the trellised bush-type olive plants that are grown for oil.

 

[OldMcDonald]

flusher, I hand pick too - 500 trees. I used goats in a mature grove. They do a great job of eating all the suckers at the base of the tree and keeping the middle of short-trunked trees clear of growth too. They will stand on their hind legs and balance for short spells to go right around the canopy. They did eat some bark but not enough to kill the old trees. A severe frost killed almost all the trees so I grubbed them out and replanted. I have trees up to 12 years old and goats would certainly kill these. I am considering using sheep in there next year.