This is basically a test blog, to see if it actually gets to anyone. I am still not sure how others join this blog, but I am working on it! For now, welcome. This blog will be checked almost every day until spring!
This is basically a test blog, to see if it actually gets to anyone. I am still not sure how others join this blog, but I am working on it! For now, welcome. This blog will be checked almost every day until spring!
HI Paula,
I’m just across the bay in Lubec. I am on the hunt for some nitrogen fixing shrubs that I hope to plant between my fruit trees. Do you have any suggestions? If I could find something that is also favored by pollinators that would be preferable.
Hi Felicia,
Here are a few plants that would benefit fruit trees:
Daffodils – For a few reasons. One of the first plants to bloom to start pollinators. Also, daffodils keeps voles from eating the bark of the trees during the winter. Also, daffodils keep deer away.
Alliums – Chives, Globe Alliums, or any alliums will keep deer away and keep bad insects away.
Baptisia – Blue or Yellow Indigo – This plant is native and is a nitrogen fixer.
Comfrey – Chop and drop at the end of the season and it adds beneficial nutrients to the soil.
Achillea – Yarrow – Attracts beneficial insects, adds calcium to the soil, chop and drop plant and speeds up the decomposition of organic matter
Borage – This is an annual, but it is highly beneficial for pollinators, and is edible. A must have for any vegetable or fruit garden.
Nasturtium – This is an annual, but highly recommended for it is both a beneficial and bad bug accumulator. We use Nasturtium as a bad insect attractor around fruits and vegetables.
Siberian Peashrub is another nitrogen fixer.
The best nitrogen fixer is the Black Locust – But this can get very large – 80-100 feet. If you have the room, it is a definite!!!!
There are several talks that I will be chatting about beneficials and dynamic accumulators. You should come!
Alder – Nitrogen fixer, Native. Don’t plant under, but if they are in the vicinity they can be highly beneficial.
I have a ton more….TWIG treats problems with plants, not products. I suggest a soil food web test if you are serious about growing fruits. Functioning soils, keyed with the right plants, in the right place will be the goal for any healthy fruit production with out chemicals.
These are off the top of my head….