{"id":3496,"date":"2025-02-07T19:38:01","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T18:38:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gb-online.co.uk\/gb-wordpress\/?p=3496"},"modified":"2025-06-21T12:12:13","modified_gmt":"2025-06-21T11:12:13","slug":"orchard-alleyways-cover-crop-pt2-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gb-online.co.uk\/gb-wordpress\/orchard-alleyways-cover-crop-pt2-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Orchard Alleyway\u2019s Cover Crop Pt2 \u2013 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"

Orchard Alleyway\u2019s Cover Crop Pt2 \u2013 2025<\/span><\/h2>\n

With advice from Plant Health all the alleyways and around the trees were Spring weed killed with glyphosate, with a mix of Flazasulfuron 25% w\/w as a pre-emergent. This unfortunately helped create soil compaction and loss of biomass, and ultimately waterlogging.<\/p>\n

We have experienced unpredictable weather, with lots of rain and summer droughts, that exacerbated waterlogging and soil compaction.<\/p>\n

We also use a lot of Mason bees that we bring out in the spring and take back in in the autumn, as an attempt to help pollinate the fruit trees.<\/p>\n

After lots of in-depth reading (see recommended reading at bottom of this page) and advice from Cotswold Seeds Ltd, we came up with a strategy. To try to resurrect biomass and in-depth root systems as well as nutrient reservoirs in the alleyways.<\/p>\n

Each alleyway throughout the orchard has a row spacing of 1.5m and a length is 58m (approx. average)<\/p>\n

I would initially be looking at sowing just 4 rows, ie 1.5 x 58 x 4, and then see how it goes. With the other rows as a follow-up next year.<\/p>\n

The preference would be for perennials and annuals (self-seeding) that only require topping to 10cm once a year in September\/October. All biomass would be left in situ.<\/p>\n

Cotswold Seeds Ltd. created 2 different mixes specifically for my orchard application. I also selected 2 mixes of wildflower seeds, primarily because I like them, but I believe they might help attract bees and associated insects, etc. I will try to add to the end of each species a reason why it has been selected. It could be Nitrogen fixer, deep-rooted, ground cover, bee\/butterfly friendly, etc.<\/p>\n

Cotswold Seeds Ltd – 2.00 kgs SPECIAL Multi Species Annual Cover Crop<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Cotswold Grass Seeds Ltd, Cotswold Business Village, London Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ
\n\u2022 Email orders@cotswoldseeds.com
\n\u2022 Call 01608 652552<\/p>\n

21.4286 % (0.4286) certified MULIKA ORGANIC spring wheat
\n33.5712 % (0.6714) certified Humbolt forage rye
\n5 % (0.1) certified Luxurial black oats
\n10.7143 % (0.2143) certified KORA ORGANIC buckwheat
\n1.4286 % (0.0286) certified Symbol mustard
\n2.1429 % (0.0429) certified Structurator tillage radish
\n2.1429 % (0.0429) certified Toro Fodder Radish
\n5 % (0.1) certified Justess spring linseed
\n5.7143 % (0.1143) certified Apalache winter linseed
\n1.4286 % (0.0286) certified Stala PHACELIA
\n7.1429 % (0.1429) certified Shorty grain sorghum
\n4.2857 % (0.0857) commercial sweet clover<\/p>\n

Spring Wheat<\/strong> – Prevents erosion, suppresses weeds, scavenges excess nutrients, adds organic matter, encourages helpful soil microorganisms, and the fine root system improves the tilth. 10cm Soil Penetration. Large biomass.<\/p>\n

Humbolt Forage Rye<\/strong> – Not ryegrass. Nitrogen fixer and improving soils over winter. Short-lived annual. Best winter green manures. Sow in mid-September. 35cm Soil Penetration.<\/p>\n

Black Oats –<\/strong> Soil improving crop or green manure, produces large amounts of biomass. Short-lived annual species. Spring sow. 35cm Soil Penetration.<\/p>\n

Buckwheat<\/strong> – Weed suppressor. Large amounts of biomass. Pollen and nectar-rich and attracts beneficial insects, like hoverflies and predatory wasps. April or May sowing.<\/p>\n

Symbol Mustard –<\/strong> Nitrogen Lifter. Fast-growing weed suppressor. Sow late spring to early summer. Produces chemicals toxic to soil-borne pathogens and pests, such as nematodes, wireworms, fungi, and some weeds.<\/p>\n

Tillage Radish –<\/strong> Deep rooting ability to break through compacted layers. Late spring sowing. 60cm Soil Penetration through heavy soils. Scavenge nutrients from deep in the soil and bring to the surface.<\/p>\n

Spring Linseed –<\/strong> Over winter wild bird food as it holds it seed long into the winter. Sow late spring. <10cm Soil Penetration.<\/p>\n

Phacelia – <\/strong>Nitrogen lifter and\u00a0high amounts of nectar. Large root mass to improve soil. 10cm Soil Penetration. Sow late spring.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sorghum –<\/strong> Seed for birds and wildlife. Sow late spring. 25cm Soil Penetration and regarded as a subsoil loosener. Produces chemicals that suppress weeds and nematodes.<\/p>\n

Sweet Clover – <\/strong>Nitrogen fixing biennial. Nearly 1.5m Soil Penetration. Soil structure improvement is regarded as a subsoil aerator. Attracts beneficial insects. Sow in Spring.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Cotswold Seeds Ltd – 2.00 kgs SPECIAL Perennial Alleyway Mix<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Cotswold Grass Seeds Ltd, Cotswold Business Village, London Rd, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ
\n\u2022 Email orders@cotswoldseeds.com
\n\u2022 Call 01608 652552<\/p>\n

44.9999 % (0.9) certified Esquire dwarf perennial ryegrass
\n26.6667 % (0.5333) certified Borneo (AMENITY) tall fescue
\n6 % (0.12) certified Sparta Cocksfoot
\n2.6667 % (0.0533) certified Altaswede late flowering red clover
\n3.3333 % (0.0667) certified Leo Birdsfoot trefoil
\n2 % (0.04) certified Aurora alsike clover
\n2 % (0.04) certified Buddy white clover
\n2.6667 % (0.0533) commercial sweet clover
\n1.6667 % (0.0333) Ribgrass forage herb
\n5.3333 % (0.1067) Burnet forage herb
\n2.6667 % (0.0533) certified Puna \/ Endure chicory blend<\/p>\n

Dwarf Perennial ryegrass – <\/strong>Sow in Spring. Hard wearing to walking on (high wear tolerance).<\/p>\n

Fescue – <\/strong>50cm Soil Penetration. High biomass. Sow in Spring.<\/p>\n

Cocksfoot – <\/strong>75cm Soil Penetration. Grows on soils prone to flooding. Attractive to insects.<\/p>\n

Red Clover<\/strong> – 45cm Soil Penetration. Nitrogen fixer and improves soil structure and weed suppression. Short-lived perennial. Sow in Spring.<\/p>\n

Birdsfoot Trefoil<\/strong> – 45cm Soil Penetration. Sow in Spring.<\/p>\n

Alsike Clover – <\/strong>Fixes Nitrogen. Grows better on wetter soils. Sow in late Spring.
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

White Clover<\/strong> – A long-lived perennial. Attracts beneficial insects.<\/p>\n

Sweet Clover<\/strong> – Nitrogen fixing biennial. Nearly 1.5m Soil Penetration. Soil structure improvement and it is regarded as a subsoil aerator. Attracts beneficial insects. Sow in Spring.<\/p>\n

Ribgrass<\/strong> – Over 1.5m Soil Penetration. Retrieves trace elements.<\/p>\n

Burnet<\/strong> – 70cm Soil Penetration. Retrieves trace elements.<\/p>\n

Chicory<\/strong> – Sow warm Spring. Over 1.5m Soil Penetration.<\/p>\n

Mix of Wildflower Seeds that took my fancy – Mix 3<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Wild Flower – Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) – 4g
\nWild Flower – Chicory (Cichorium intybus) – 1500 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower – Autumn Hawkbit (Scorzoneroides autumnalis) – 400 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower –\u00a0 Crosswort (Cruciata laevipes) – 70 Seeds
\nWild Flower – Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) – 1400 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower – Hoary Plantain (Plantago media) – 600 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower – Cow Parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) – 300 Seeds
\nWild Flower – Common Valerian (Valeriana officinalis ) – 300 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower – Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa) – 100 Seeds
\nBritish Wild Flower – Rough Hawkbit (Leontodon hispidus) – 450 Seeds<\/p>\n

Mix of Wildflower Seeds that took my fancy – Mix 4<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

British Wild Flower – SAINFOIN (ONOBRYCHIS VICIIFOLIA) – 20 GRAM ~ 1000 SEEDS –
\nBritish Wild Flower – PURPLE LOOSESTRIFE (Lythrum salicaria) – 1.2 GRAM ~ APPROX 27,600 SEEDS
\nBritish Wild Flower – VIPER’S-BUGLOSS (ECHIUM VULGARE) – 1.25 GRAM ~ 360 SEEDS –
\nBritish Wild Flower – COWSLIP (Primula veris) – 0.5 GRAM ~ 500 SEEDS
\nBritish Wild Flower – YARROW WHITE (ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM) – 0.4 GM ~ APPROX 2800 SEEDS
\nGREEN MANURE BUCKWHEAT – 50GM FINEST SEEDS
\nGREEN MANURE (PHACELIA TANACETIFOLIA) – 50 GRAM ~ APPROX 28,000 SEEDS
\nHERB PARSLEY PLAIN LEAVED ( FRENCH) – 2500 SEEDS – CERTIFIED ORGANIC
\nBritish Wild Flower – HERB BORAGE (Borago officinalis) – 500 FINEST SEEDS
\nBritish Wild Flower – YARROW WHITE (ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM) – 1GM ~ APPROX 7000 SEEDS<\/p>\n

Recommended Reading<\/p>\n

1 – Cotswold Seed Catalogue also Sort out your Soil, Cotswold Seeds Ltd, Moreton in Marsh, GL560JQ, UK<\/p>\n

2 – Cover Crops and Sustainable Agriculture, CRC Press, ISBN: 978-1-032-03440-9<\/p>\n

3- Managing Cover Crops Profitably, SARE Handbook Series Book 9, ISBN 978-1-888626-12-4<\/p>\n

4 – Cover Cropping for Vegetable Production A Grower’s Handbook, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3517, ISBN-13: 978-1-60107-679-3<\/p>\n

5 – Building Soils For Better Crops (Ecological Management for Healthy Soils), ISBN 9781888626193<\/p>\n

6 – A Comprehensive Guide to Living Soil, No Till etc, AM\u00c9LIE DES PLANTES, No ISBN<\/p>\n

7 – The Complete Guide to Restoring Your Soil, Dale Strickler, No ISBN<\/p>\n

7 – Orchard Floor Management Practices to Reduce Erosion and Protect Water Quality
\nUNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, No ISBN as online PDF<\/p>\n

8 – Cover Cropping in Vineyards A Growers Handbook, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Publication 3338, ISBN 1-879906-35-X<\/p>\n

9 – Cover Crops in Sustainable Crops, CRC Press<\/p>\n

SEE PT3 for the NEXT STAGE<\/strong><\/a><\/h2>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Orchard Alleyway\u2019s Cover Crop Pt2 \u2013 2025 With advice from Plant Health all the alleyways and around the trees 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