What is the most fertile rural area of GA? (Atlanta: home, to buy)

[horatiodreamt]

Hi.

I'm considering a move to GA and would like to know what area of the state has the most fertile soil for vegetable gardens and fruit trees? I would like to buy some acreage and grow/raise my own food.

Input appreciated. Thanks!

[LovinDecatur]

Originally Posted by horatiodreamt

Hi.

I'm considering a move to GA and would like to know what area of the state has the most fertile soil for vegetable gardens and fruit trees? I would like to buy some acreage and grow/raise my own food.

Input appreciated. Thanks!

I'm not an expert, but if I were doing this, I would avoid the mountains and Piedmont (rockier soil) and look to southern GA, particularly SW GA near a river; cheaper land, flatter, longer growing season.

[Ollie1946]

Most any "soil" can be worked with to grow food. You need to take soil samples and mail into the Extension Service. Each county has an Ag Extension Agent/Office. I suggest you go to the University of Georgia Extension Service website and start there. There is also a website called Gardening Georgia or something like that. You can google it.

Part of the issue is water resources. Right now North Georgia is having issues with water. Of course mountain areas make gardening extra tough due to lack of level land. Bottom land, if you can find it, sells for premium prices.

Land throughout Georgia has issues with fire ants and a zillion other insects. Actually, you would likely fare better with gardening in the middle atlantic states or midwest. The south is ok for pine trees, cotton, peanuts, soybeans, corn. In Florida, south Florida, you will find citrus crops and hot weather crops such as tomatoes, peppers etc.

But as I said, you can garden anywhere depending on your effort to prepare including raised beds, maybe some hydroponics. The Extension Service can provide a lot of data---maybe.

I personally would prefer SW Georgia as the previous poster mentioned because it is wonderfully flat comparatively. There are some wonderful small towns in that region: Moultrie, Bainbridge, Thomasville. You might consider Douglas and that area.

If you are considering organic farming, I would live any place but the South due to insect control issues.

All the best.

[horatiodreamt]

Thanks for the replies. I'll keep looking. I just want to find good rural land for retirement where I can grow/raise my own food.

[willacoochee]

Our farmers do 'purty good here in and around Willacoochee, maybe that may be a choice in your pot.

[American Patriot]

My uncle lived outside Jesup and farmed the land. He loved the place and told me the soil there was great for farming. I ate a lot of vegetables that he grew there - green beans, collard greens, corn, peas, carrots, squash, tomatoes, watermelons, and let me tell you he grew some really good onions and delicious and juicy peaches. It's not too far from Savannah and the Georgia coast which is a big plus in my opinion.

[ljse]

Man your best bet would be south of atlanta someone said that the peidmont region is not good but that is untrue yes the soil is rocky but after a few deep tills it wont be and the soil is thicker and with the prolonged drought it will hold moister better calling for less irrigation. South Ga is good it is flatter and the soil is fertil estesially in a river bottom. But the soil is sandy and drains very quikly calling for more water to keep crops producing. Citrus trees dont do well exept maybe on the florida border even then they do better in central or south florida. Apple trees do OK but lately winters arnt cold enough to produce a great crop the following spring. Peach trees do outstanding along with most other vegtable crops. Also melons and other vine crops do very well. Hope it helps.

[crux]

I grow my veggies just fine in this GA clay. Just add #$%#%$ ...ok ok cow poo.

[atlantagreg30127]

I was going to say, I know people in Dawsonville (north of Atlanta) who grow most of their own food and do just fine with the soil up there. ... that title of the post misled me - I was thinking of the wrong type of "fertile" and almost suggested Paudling County since everyone out there seems to have 5 or more kids. LOL (oops.. wrong kind of fertile)

[dave k]

I was up in Elljay today looking at property and the corn was over 6 feet high, came home to Statham Ga and the corn is only 2 to 3 feet high and whitered up, plus it was 10 degrees cooler up in Ellijay.