Q.
What’s the best groundcover under fruit trees?
What’s the best groundcover under fruit trees?
A.
It kind of depends on how much water costs. If water is expensive, a living
groundcover might not be the best idea.
It kind of depends on how much water costs. If water is expensive, a living
groundcover might not be the best idea.
 |
| Farmer intercropping with sesame between fruit trees in Tajikistan |
Also, living groundcovers like alfalfa or
clovers don’t return as much nitrogen to the plant as people think. In fact,
they usually compete with the plant for water and nutrients and don’t return
the benefits that people think they should.
clovers don’t return as much nitrogen to the plant as people think. In fact,
they usually compete with the plant for water and nutrients and don’t return
the benefits that people think they should.
In our arid and desert West, surface mulches
are usually the best option. I like to see woodchips from local arborists or
tree trimmers used around the base of the trees to a depth of 4 inches or more.
are usually the best option. I like to see woodchips from local arborists or
tree trimmers used around the base of the trees to a depth of 4 inches or more.
I have seen some inter-cropping when fruit
trees are young with things like melons planted beneath them. This way at least
you can get double duty in food production from the water that’s being applied.
trees are young with things like melons planted beneath them. This way at least
you can get double duty in food production from the water that’s being applied.
Remember that intercropping increases the
amount of care required because you are growing crops you have to tend. Fruit
trees that may not require visits more than once every two or three weeks now
have melons planted beneath them that require visits of 2 to 3 times per week.
amount of care required because you are growing crops you have to tend. Fruit
trees that may not require visits more than once every two or three weeks now
have melons planted beneath them that require visits of 2 to 3 times per week.
So if it were me, I would use a nonliving
groundcover such as woodchips from local tree trimmers.
groundcover such as woodchips from local tree trimmers.