Horticulture & Specialty Crops
Orchard Floor Management Guide
A guide to managing the ground between orchard trees. Growers use it to plan cover, mowing, weed control, and fertility so trees get what they need without competition.
Download free PDF1 page, US Letter, prints clean in black and white
GuideHorticulture & Specialty CropsFree PDF
The steps on this page
- Walk the orchard and note ground cover
- Choose cover for alleys and tree rows
- Plan mowing or trimming schedule
- Manage weeds in the tree row
- Protect trunks from equipment
- Plan fertility and compost use
- Watch for rodent habitat
- Record changes by block
How to use this guide
Follow the steps in order and write down any changes you make. Where your equipment or product has instructions, those come first.
Where to check the details
This sheet is a general template, so confirm specifics with your own manuals, labels and local rules. For current official guidance, start with USDA NRCS and eXtension.
For more in this area, see the Crop Calendar. Between chores, farm.FM has farm humor, including Orchard Ordeals, and farming farm stories.