Last February, clover was planted in an orchard as a cover crop to help with weed suppression, add nitrogen to the soil, promote overall soil health, and attract pollinators with its flowers. The clover was planted in the dark of the moon without any soil preparation other than mowing it down tightly and adding pelletized lime. Maintenance has only required mowing it once to promote growth and suppress unwanted grasses and weeds. White clover was chosen for its lateral spreading and ability to reseed itself. Overall, the clover cover crop has been successful in improving soil health and suppressing weeds, with plans to fill in sparse areas next year. For more information on growing orchards and berry plants, visit starkbros.com.
Transforming your orchard with clover cover crops
Last February, we made a decision to plant clover throughout our orchard as a cover crop, and the results have been nothing short of impressive. The lush clover not only adds a vibrant touch of green to our orchard but also serves multiple purposes that benefit our soil and plants.
Why clover, you ask? Well, clover is a fantastic cover crop for orchards because it helps with weed suppression, adds nitrogen to the soil, enhances overall soil health, and attracts pollinators with its beautiful flowers. Additionally, clover is a hardy plant that can thrive in various conditions, making it an excellent choice for orchard cover crops.
When planting the clover, we opted for a white clover variety known for its lateral spreading and self-reseeding capabilities. We planted it in the dark of the moon in February, using a frost seeding technique that required minimal soil preparation. After mowing the area tightly and seeding the clover with some pelletized lime, we let nature take its course.
Maintenance has been a breeze so far, with just one mowing session to top off the clover and keep unwanted grasses and weeds at bay. The clover has flourished, creating a lush carpet of green that not only looks stunning but also contributes to the overall health of our orchard.
As we look towards the future, we may fill in any sparse areas with more clover next February to ensure even coverage and continued benefits for our orchard. Overall, our experience with frost seeding clover as a cover crop has been a resounding success, and we couldn’t be happier with the results.
If you’re interested in learning more about growing orchards and berry plants, head over to starkbros.com for tips, tricks, and valuable information to help you make the most of your agricultural endeavors. Happy farming!
