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<pre>> Hello,
>
> I fail to understand why it is that the 'weeds' have to be poisoned in the
> first place. They are only there to help cover and hold the soil in place.

We are just exploring options here. In this particular grove the soil is
extremely heavy clay so in order to grow trres we have worked up the soil
with lime and organic material, then formed the soil up into raised beds and
planted on the beds. This means that when we get our customery heavy dumps
of rain the trees won't become waterlogged. We grow a ceral crop in the
inter-row, slash this and throw it under the tree rows as mulch (all good
organic stuff so far!)

The short term problem that we face is the soil that is ideal for olives is
also ideal for a whole host of other plants, and they pose a threat to the
young trees. Currently we knock the weeds down with a knock-down herbicide
(sorry Gerhard) and leave the dead weeds as extra mulch and food for the
worms. Our local contractor also does grapevines and suggested we look at a
pre-emergent herbicide to make life easier. We have looked into it and
decided against it.

>
> To control and manage the under-story vegetation on established trees,
> consider grazing with sheep or geese or if you must burn fossil fuels,
slash
> the inter-row and use this material as a mulch around the trees to
suppress
> the weeds. It is much healthier for the soil, the trees and you (and your
> bank balance!)
>

This may be an option once the trees are established, but the mounded beds
raise a few problems of their own. Mowing isn't an option on the steeper
slopes. We will be looking at steam to control weeds once the trees get
established, but are tentative as we expect to damage the irrigation.
Alpacas look interesting as a grazing animal.

Regards, and thanks for the input.

Mike Wilson.
</pre>
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