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I don't want to leave the ground between my fruit trees bare so I want to put something there so it's not just a mix of sand and weeds wherever a tree's not growing. What do you guys use to make your yard better?
Stupid deer keep me from planting anything between my trees.
@oscar I've wanted to plant nitrogen fixers around my trees but idk what does well in my tropical climate, what do you recommend
Quote from: From the sea on January 16, 2015, 08:37:49 AMStupid deer keep me from planting anything between my trees.No fencing allowed on BPK right? The deer get a vote in the election and a seat at the table. Can you even own a dog down there, that seems like a conflict of interest too.I grow berries, peppers , squash, cape gooseberry , aloe vera , zinnia's, Mullen between the trees.
Quote from: Das Bhut on January 14, 2015, 07:27:59 PMI don't want to leave the ground between my fruit trees bare so I want to put something there so it's not just a mix of sand and weeds wherever a tree's not growing. What do you guys use to make your yard better?Around the base of the trees i like to plant nitrogen fixing groundcovers to enrich the soil, like perennial peanut, desmodium, clovers, etc. In between trees you can plant the fast "cash crops" like pineapples, papaya, bananas, tree tomatoes, naranjilla, poha. These can be removed after big trees fill in. Or you can go with annual plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. depending on what you have room for, like to eat, and enjoy growing.
I don't find most fruit trees to be very attractive. So I will be planting large-foliage tropical plants like various colors of bird of paradise, lobster claw, bananas, passionflowers, zigzag plants, hibiscus, and lots of beautiful flowering plants I don't know all the names for yet. I don't have pictures because I have only planted some of them as yet, given that this year was supposed to be concentrated on installing the 100+ fruit trees. Next year was earmarked for researching plants based purely on their visual appeal - assuming I have any money left by that time! (Reading this forum doesn't exactly help me to save up!) I am revamping the entire yard because I found it very ugly, poorly planned, and full of plants without any use when I first bought it. I just did some more work today removing the old plants to make room for new, and I am covered in noseeum bites, mosquito bites, fire ant bites, and a patch of brazillian pepper rash. My hands are also ripped to shreds. There are moments when this really does not feel worth it... I have been working almost daily in the yard for a year, and still it is such a long way from looking like I think it should look!
Quote from: davidgarcia899 on January 16, 2015, 04:18:36 PM@oscar I've wanted to plant nitrogen fixers around my trees but idk what does well in my tropical climate, what do you recommendPerennial peanut does very well here, and looks very nice with it's yellow flowers. You need a clean slate to plant it into as it doesn't compete well, especially with grasses. Once established some people here complain it grows all too well. But i don't have that problem as i mow my whole orchard. They are very easy to start and spread from cuttings.I also have some native desmodiums and clovers that grow wild here. I encourage them and they've taken over very well certain areas of the orchard. If you mow regularly and low to the ground these types of plants tend to take over as they're not phased by the mowing, and grasses can't reseed themselves.
Quote from: davidgarcia899 on January 16, 2015, 04:18:36 PM@oscar I've wanted to plant nitrogen fixers around my trees but idk what does well in my tropical climate, what do you recommendQuote from: fruitlovers on January 16, 2015, 04:29:39 PMQuote from: davidgarcia899 on January 16, 2015, 04:18:36 PM@oscar I've wanted to plant nitrogen fixers around my trees but idk what does well in my tropical climate, what do you recommendPerennial peanut does very well here, and looks very nice with it's yellow flowers. You need a clean slate to plant it into as it doesn't compete well, especially with grasses. Once established some people here complain it grows all too well. But i don't have that problem as i mow my whole orchard. They are very easy to start and spread from cuttings.I also have some native desmodiums and clovers that grow wild here. I encourage them and they've taken over very well certain areas of the orchard. If you mow regularly and low to the ground these types of plants tend to take over as they're not phased by the mowing, and grasses can't reseed themselves.Oscar,I like the idea of replacing our water hogging lawn with drought resistant ground cover (once established) that still look decent all year long; so your idea of Perrenial peanut is very intriguing to me. I notice through googling that they are readily available mostly in Florida and some of the Southern States but have not been able to find the nursery who carry this in SoCalifornia. Where did you get yours if I may ask? Thanks!