permaculture

[Robyn Francis <erda@nor.com.au>]

On 30/1/06 6:17 AM, "Forest Garden" <forestgarden@gvtc.com> wrote:

> I tried planting a variety of legumes directly into the
> grasses - cow peas, winter peas, vetches, clovers, etc. as appropriate for
> each season.  The legumes could not compete with the grasses.  I was hoping
> the cow peas would at least shade them out some, but no.  I've also been
> trying to move the soil micro-biology towards more fungually based in an
> attempt to weaken the hold of the grasses.
> 
> It is a continual effort to keep the bermuda clear in the rings around each
> tree that I have.

Have you tried planting rings of comfrey around the trees. I have seen it
out-compete a range of grasses, both running grasses like Kikuyu and couch
as well as larger clumping grasses. Best way to establish is planting lots
of root cuttings in winter/early spring.  As well as controlling grasses
it's one of the best nutrient-rich living mulches for fruit and nut trees.

Robyn


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