bare soil

[bravo2zero]

What can i under plant my apple trees with? i hate the sight of bare soil if i can avoid it. have considered daffs and the usual spring bulbs and maybe california poppies for the summer but thats about it, ideas anybody???

[Two_Sheds]

I use limnanthes as a ground cover: attracts bees & hoverflies, self-seeds every year, and makes lots of lovely compost material when it's over

[FB.]

Clover is supposed to be beneficial to apple trees - apparently it boosts the soil nitrogen (although I haven't tried it myself).

Alpine strawberries are reasonably attractive, shade-tolerant and produce a large number of small fruits throughout the summer, after the maincrop strawberries are over.

Spring bulbs are also attractive. I have many spring bulbs under my trees.
I have the more upright-growing snowdrops and bluebells near the tree trunks, with the lower-growing crocus further out, so as not to block the line of sight to the snowdrops or bluebells.

Whatever you plant, be aware that if you have to cultivate the soil regularly, you will disturb or damage the trees roots. This can allow root-rotting diseases to enter, or can reduce tree vigour due to root damage, or can cause the irritated roots to send up "suckers" around the main tree.

[binley100]

I have forget-me-nots and bluebells round my apple tree , looks really pretty in the spring. I've just cleared around the plum tree and planted snowdrops and crocus. I' ll probably pop some sort of bedding plants in for the summer.At least when you clear them out you can give the soil a tickle .......

[Tam]

I have snowdrops under one or two of my apple trees. miniature daffodils under others and cyclamen under a couple. The snowdrops and daffs now make really striking carpets in the spring and the cyclamen put on a spectacular show in the autumn.

[arpoet]

Like you, B2Z i dont like wasted space so under the bramley at the top of the plot where the soil is too poor for planting, i put old kitchen units as a raied bed and am growing leeks in them. They are companion crop to apples and this year we have had about 140lbs of fruits from this one tree.



this winter we are going to make more raised beds under the plums and cox's.
Roger

[bravo2zero]

Thanks guys.

[Croila]

Oh I really like the boxes of leeks under the tree! I inherited an old buddleia (sp?) tree in my current garden and the underneath bit actually gets a fair bit of sun. This summer I had some leeks, lettuce and kohl rabi in the ground sort of underneath it and although they didn't die, they barely grew either. Too few nutrients and too little water, I suspect. But, the light is still good there so thank you for giving me a great idea for next year!

Can't believe I never thought of that myself .... :0