A structured scorecard for evaluating candidate properties. Score each factor 1–5, add notes, and get a weighted total. This page becomes a full interactive tool after land acquisition.
Every candidate property gets scored against the same criteria in the same order. This removes the emotion from the decision — or at least gives the emotion a framework to push against.
Score each factor from 1 (poor) to 5 (ideal). The weighting column reflects how much each factor matters for a specialty orchard and nursery in the Upstate SC foothills. Dealbreaker factors cannot be offset by high scores elsewhere — a zero on frost behavior or soil depth is a no regardless of what everything else scores.
The tool is currently functional as a manual scorecard. After land acquisition, it will expand to include GPS coordinates, photo attachments, and a comparison view across multiple properties.
| Factor | Weight | Ideal / Notes | Dealbreaker | Score (1–5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
SOIL Soil Depth | ×3 | 24"+ of workable, well-structured soil | Hardpan within 18" or less than 12" workable depth | |
SOIL Drainage Class | ×3 | Well to moderately well drained. Cecil, Pacolet, or Madison series. | Poorly drained or seasonal water table within 24" | |
SOIL Soil pH & Chemistry | ×2 | pH 5.5–6.5 preferred. Low pH fixable with lime over 1–2 seasons. | Extreme pH or heavy contamination history | |
WATER Water Source Reliability | ×3 | Existing well, year-round creek with rights, or viable pond | No viable water source on the property | |
WATER Water Infrastructure | ×1 | Existing pump, pipes, or gravity-fed storage in place | — | |
TOPOGRAPHY Slope (Primary Blocks) | ×2 | 3–12% slope. Cold air drainage away from orchard blocks. | Flat with no drainage or >25% on primary blocks | |
TOPOGRAPHY Frost Pocket Risk | ×3 | No frost pocket on primary blocks. Slope allows cold air to drain. | Confirmed frost pocket on primary orchard blocks | |
TOPOGRAPHY Aspect (Sun Exposure) | ×2 | South or southeast facing primary blocks for morning sun and disease reduction | — | |
WILDLIFE Deer Pressure & Fence Viability | ×2 | Existing fencing or natural barriers. Perimeter fenceable. | Terrain makes deer fencing physically impossible | |
LEGAL Zoning & Use Rights | ×2 | AG zoning, farm sales rights, no restrictive deed covenants | Zoning prohibits nursery retail or on-farm sales | |
INFRASTRUCTURE Road Access | ×2 | Paved or all-weather road frontage. Equipment access. | No legal vehicle access (landlocked) | |
INFRASTRUCTURE Power & Utilities | ×1 | Grid power available or viable solar alternative | — | |
INFRASTRUCTURE Existing Structures | ×1 | Barn, storage, or any usable structure speeds timeline | — | |
MARKET Market Proximity | ×2 | Within 45 min of Greenville/Spartanburg. Destination-viable. | — | |
EXPANSION Nursery Infrastructure Potential | ×2 | Area suitable for greenhouse, hoop house, propagation bench setup | — | |
EXPANSION Restoration Potential | ×1 | Degraded land with clear restoration pathway is a bonus for Conservation Framework | — |