Previously we’ve extolled the virtues of keeping circles clear of grass underneath our fruit trees in the orchard. Without competition from grass the trees establish quickly and the clear area prevents us from getting too close to the stems with mowers or strimmers.
All this is about to change as we cover over these areas with turf removed from a project in the main flower garden. We’ve decided to do this for a number of reasons. Firstly most of the trees have been in for nearly a decade now and are well established and settled in. Secondly, it’s a lot of work maintaining the circles, with mulching, edging, and weeding several times a year. Thirdly, it will make the area look far more relaxed, each tree having fluffy spats of longer grass around their ankles, and a simple less fussy look. We’ll have to be a little bit more careful with the mowing, and we rarely strim, but this more laid back approach will be better for us, easier on the eye, and of more benefit to the local flora and fauna.