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permaculture - [permaculture] grass in orchards (was Geese as guards? Imprinting?)

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  • From: "paul wheaton" <paul@richsoil.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [permaculture] grass in orchards (was Geese as guards? Imprinting?)
  • Date: Tue, 22 May 2007 08:29:04 -0700

Marjory,

It seems that many orchardists grow grass under their fruit trees. I
don't understand why. My (limited) understanding is that the grass
roots occupy roughly the same space as the fruit tree roots. I would
think taprooted plants (especially legumes) would be a better match.
Not so?

Would alfalfa (taproot and legume) make good goose fodder?

On 4/24/07, Marjory Glowka <forestgarden@gvtc.com> wrote:
Hello,

I keep a flock of geese in my orchard to mow the grass. I raised them from
hatchlings with some guienna chicks which the geese have accepted as part of
thier flock. It seems to me anything they are riased with, they are OK
about.

The geese spar with the roosters every now and then, but there is a lot of
room and it is infrequent. The geese are very territorial, and make a huge
deal whenever anyone new comes into the orchard. They are not good at
protecting livestock from predators, and in my experience, not really that
good at alerting others of danger, although it seems they should.

Some of the bigger ganders did attack my smallest child (5 years old) and
were generally quite rough (biting, chasing, loud honking) with my daughter
and everyone, including me. I ate those guys and the reminder of the flock
has been quite social ever since. And, thier sense of play and interaction,
is a lot rougher than most people care for.

They are quite intelligent.

I am still learning.

Good luck,

Marjory




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