 Re: Orchard question
A recent land purchase...give youself a little time to learn your land and how it behaves. As you remove trees, try planting green manure crops (usually legumes) to replenish the top-soil nutrient, and condition the soil. Topsoil is your most valuable asset...protect it at all costs....and you must not let it wash away or blow away by having it bare. Well conditioned soil should allow better infiltration, and less run-off. Depending on the slope, you may even need to contour or bund. Hay-bales (even cheap straw) work but they need to be a double line and half overlapped, and staked (star picket) to not move/dislodge. (I would leave them as whole bales).
Do you have access to Govt Agricultural advisory services....try them...they should also be able to advise on specific cultivars most suited for your region, and even what you can expect in the way of crop protection issues (pests and disease).
Take your time ... and keep asking for ideas/help. |