Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: chillimummy on August 30, 2019, 00:22

Title: How to keep fruit trees weed free?
Post by: chillimummy on August 30, 2019, 00:22

So at the back of my plot I have lots of fruit bushes and 3 trees, cherry, apple and newly discovered pear  :)
Really overgrown around them so will be strimming weeds at the weekend.
After that, what is the best way to keep area manageable around them?
Around my fruit bushes, i had put weed fabric and chippings but weeds still coming through.
Have regular supply of rabbit poo with bedding so wondered about cardboard with poo on top?
Or better weed fabric with chippings?
This is the only part really of my plot that haven't ever really got under control so making it manageable will help hugely and finally control the jungle that is my fruit area  :D

Title: Re: How to keep fruit trees weed free?
Post by: snow white on August 30, 2019, 10:49

I mow around the fruit trees.  Most effective way for me.   I put lots of wood chip on my raspberries.  It restricts what does grow quite effectively.  Woven black plastic sheet for my strawberries. 

Title: Re: How to keep fruit trees weed free?
Post by: Goosegirl on August 30, 2019, 13:53

Usually weeds don't get through weed fabric so I'm wondering if you have some couch grass or other difficult perennial weeds there. Fruit trees and bushes don't like weeds around their bases as they compete with the them for nutrients. I'd de-turf about 15" all round the base to make a weed-free square and edge the remaining turf with some lawn edging stuff or wood so the grass doesn't encroach into it. If I get our "new" house it has three fruit trees in a lawn and am going to do the same with them.

Title: Re: How to keep fruit trees weed free?
Post by: chillimummy on August 31, 2019, 07:58

Quote from: Goosegirl on August 30, 2019, 13:53

Usually weeds don't get through weed fabric so I'm wondering if you have some couch grass or other difficult perennial weeds there. Fruit trees and bushes don't like weeds around their bases as they compete with the them for nutrients. I'd de-turf about 15" all round the base to make a weed-free square and edge the remaining turf with some lawn edging stuff or wood so the grass doesn't encroach into it. If I get our "new" house it has three fruit trees in a lawn and am going to do the same with them.

Thanks for great ideas.
Think I might try digging around them and edging this. Seems like a good way to keep weeds at bay at least directly around each tree.
Have been thinking about growing my strawberries either through weed fabric or in a raised bed to make it easier to weed  ;)
Tackling the jungle tomorrow  :(