Underplanting Stone Fruit Trees

In my home orchard I have peach, plum, cherry and apricot trees. Our Fruit trees are underplanted with various Mediterranean herbs, dandelions and marigolds.

The result from underplanting our fruit trees is a beautiful permaculture type home orchard. The flowers, herbs and fruit trees compliment each other so well they create simbiosis with the birds and beneficial insects in our area. 

We only plant edible and non-poisonous plants in our garden to keep our pets and kids safe.

Benefits of Underplanting Fruit Trees

1. Suppress nutrient stealing weeds;
2. Retain water in soil;
3. Aerate the soil;
4. Repel pests such as nematodes and spider  mites;
5. Balance soil nitrogen;
6. Balance soil acidity;
7. Deter pests;
8. Prevent disease;
9. Attract pollinators;
10. Attract beneficial insects.

Best Plants for Underplanting Stone Fruit Trees

Dandelions

Dandelions are seen as weeds but they are actually great doctors and welcome in my garden. Aside from being edible and medicinal dandelion’s large taproot helps loosen the soil around trees to ensure good drainage and improves my trees nutrient absorption.

Dandelions also help balance the soil’s acidity levels to one naturally beneficial for each fruit tree. You see, if soil is too acidic you will find lots of dandelions growing near your trees, overtime the dandelions will absorb the acidity and naturally cease to grow once they have balance your orchad’s soil out. Leave the dandelions alone as they take care of themselves and your trees if you let them. I love blowing dandelion seeds around my orchard!

Marigolds

Marigolds deter parasitic worms know as nematodes that can easily invade and destroy fruit trees. When I was at the Alhambra palace I noticed its fruit trees were undeplanted with marigolds, its Gardner must know all about marigolds!

Thyme  

I love growing both common thyme and lemon thyme to use in cooking and drinks! Thyme acts as a natural mulch, ground cover and requires little water so it won’t dry out your trees. Thyme suppresses weeds which can attract pests. When thyme displaces weeds it is also helping prevent diseases caused by nutrient sucking weeds such as Bermuda grass. Thyme attracts beneficial insects in the spring with its beautiful blooming flowers.

Mediterranean Herbs

Stone fruit trees are Mediterranean so other Mediterranean plants grow wonderfully among them and create harmony in the garden.

• Lavender attracts beneficial insects and pollinators;
• Oregano deters pests;
• Rosemary attracts beneficial insects and deters pests;
• Sage deters pests and attracts pollinators;
• Thyme suppress weeds, deter pests and attract pollinators.

Happy gardening!

Laura