North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Stephen Sadler" <Docshiva@Docshiva.org>]

That was also my only concern with the idea.  The leaves produce the energy for next year’s bulbs, so they can’t be mowed or placed in too much shade.  This shouldn’t stop you – I’m doing a landscaping plan with mixed flowering and ornamental plants beneath the fruit trees.  As the trees mature, and shade increases, I’ll lose some flowering – but I expect that, and other plants will fill in as conditions change.  Some flowers are very thrifty feeders, and those that don’t should thrive without your having to change your fertilizing schedule.  I’ve had decades of success with frequent light feedings over the entire garden.  I don’t concentrate fertilizer near trees, but fertilize the grounds entire, covering anywhere the roots might roam. 

 

I wouldn’t have the bulbs in turf; as Lon said, you wouldn’t be able to mow.  So plant amid a lower maintenance ground cover. 

 

 

Stephen Sadler, Ph.D.

USDA 9, AHS heat zone 8,

Sacramento CA - Mediterranean climate

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From: nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org [mailto:nafex-bounces@lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf Of Lon J. Rombough
Sent: Wednesday, April 12, 2006 6:47 AM
To: North American Fruit Explorers
Subject: Re: [NAFEX] daffodils and fruit trees

 

I've had daffodils under several apple trees for many years. They bloom before the trees leaf out, they show no signs of any competition, but the one drawback is that you have to leave the area where they grow unmowed until the daffodil leaves mature. Otherwise you'll have to hand weed them. If you have more than a few trees with daffodils, that can add up to serious amounts of time. And if you mow before the leaves die back, no flowers next year.
-Lon Rombough
Grapes, writing, consulting, my book, The Grape Grower, at http://www.bunchgrapes.com Winner of the Garden Writers Association "Best Talent in Writing" award for 2003.
On Apr 12, 2006, at 4:38 AM, list@ginda.us wrote:

Has anyone planted daffodils or other bulbs under fruit trees?
Daffodils do most of their business before the trees come into leaf,
so the shade shouldn't be much of a problem. But how badly do the
daffodils compete with the trees for nutrients, and water? I'm
thinking of putting in some daffodils under my little apricot.

Thanks,
Ginda