Cover Crops

Written By Anna Wilkins

Cover crops have been used in the orchard to help improve soil health and improve biodiversity in the orchard. Improving soil structure is crucial for nutrient and water management. Overall we hope that implementing cover crops from the beginning will help build up a long term resilience in the soils.

Daikon Radish growing in the orchard, nearly 1.5m tall.

17 different species were sown in the orchards with various success in regenerating each year. Turnips and Radish’s grew really well however, they created a health and safety issue for orchard workers. Regenerative mix’s were sown in every second row to still allow access for workers to complete work.

  • Lentils

  • Vetch

  • Rape

  • Phacelia

  • Crimson Clover, White Clover, Strawberry Clover, Persian Clover, Balansa Clover

  • Herbivore Chicory

  • Daikon Radish

  • Alyssum Linseed

  • Turnip

  • Thick Stem Kale

  • Yellow Mustard

  • Sunflowers

Anna in a sea of Yellow Mustard, adjacent row doesn’t have seed mix.

Orchard rammer meets Daikon Radish

Anna Wilkins
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