Surrounding apple trees?

Prowetod

I have developed a small orchard and am wondering what should I put in between the trees? Weeds are currently growing there and I'm not too keen on spraying them every year. The trees are about 10 feet apart. Thanks.

blue5000

I've seen thick cardboard boxes just laid flat around each tree as a mulch. Strimming is another option.

aonb

Ive got a similar 'orchard'. I mow between the trees - every few weeks, with the mower on the highest setting. I have cleared a circle of about 2-3 feet around the base of each tree. I mulch these circles to keep weeds down. I put a dressing of fertilizer on these cleared circles about once/year

If you cant mow between the trees, you could sythe the grass between the trees, or as previously suggested, use a strimmer? (just dont damage the bark) or even borrow a couple of sheep if a suitable space?

49801

How about a pig for the orchard?

SligoEdo

Geese.
They were typically kept in orchards. They'll keep the grass down, give you some eggs and a nice table bird for christmas.

Conmaicne Mara

aonb wrote: »

Ive got a similar 'orchard'. I mow between the trees - every few weeks, with the mower on the highest setting. I have cleared a circle of about 2-3 feet around the base of each tree. I mulch these circles to keep weeds down. I put a dressing of fertilizer on these cleared circles about once/year

If you cant mow between the trees, you could sythe the grass between the trees, or as previously suggested, use a strimmer? (just dont damage the bark) or even borrow a couple of sheep if a suitable space?

you'd want to fence the trees from sheep unless they're fairly mature ones, they will loosen them by butting and eat any bit they can reach.

marizpan

SligoEdo wrote: »

Geese.
They were typically kept in orchards. They'll keep the grass down, give you some eggs and a nice table bird for christmas.

I second geese. They will make it look like a well tended lawn with no effort. They will keep it very tidy, fert it and won't do any damage to the trees.

gozunda

SligoEdo
Geese.
They were typically kept in orchards. They'll keep the grass down, give you some eggs and a nice table bird for christmas.

marizpan wrote: »

I second geese. They will make it look like a well tended lawn with no effort. They will keep it very tidy, fert it and won't do any damage to the trees.

I will third(?) this
This is the traditional method for managing weeds in orchards and fattening geese (They eat the windfalls) In addition you will not have anyone robbing your apples....

marizpan

gozunda wrote: »

In addition you will not have anyone robbing your apples....

He he :-) that is so true.
It will be a very secure orchard !!!

Oldtree

interplant your trees with cane fruits like rasberrys and ignore the wild plants

Prowetod

Thanks for the great advise. As much as I'd like to get a few geese it's just not feasible as I only check up on the orchard about once every week or two. So ideally I'm looking for something low maintenance. I think I will implement the circle idea and possibly use mulch/compost/grass cuttings as cover, and keep everywhere else strimmed.

Would weeds or grass have much of an impact on the trees from a nutritional point of view?

Any other orchard growing tips!?

Oldtree

Is this a commercial setup?, if not then no need to worry about yield/nutrition

Dont strim around the base of the trees as you could ringbark them easily.