Non-mow ground cover for VERY small orchard - Ask Extension
We have a very small fenced in "orchard" with 3 apple trees and a perimeter of perennial flowers. We are considering planting some kind of c...
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Non-mow ground cover for VERY small orchard #932176
Asked May 18, 2026, 6:43 PM EDT
We have a very small fenced in "orchard" with 3 apple trees and a perimeter of perennial flowers. We are considering planting some kind of clover in between/around everything. I read that clover does better when mixed with something (grass?) but don't want to mow. Recommendations for kind of clover and/or what else to plant?
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Thank you for writing.
Clover is recommended because it fixes nitrogen in the soil to some degree decreasing the need for fertilizers. Apple trees will require, flower reduction, protection from apple borers, and annual mid winter pruning to keep them in the best harvesting shape.
Dutch white clover is used in mow-lawns because it is shorter. Meadows or wild flower lawns (bee lawns can handle the taller purple clovers.
There is a good reason to create a bee lawn in this kind of orchard, (besides it will be pretty). The bee lawn usually starts blooming in the spring before the apple blooms. This helps ensure that there are bees to assist the winds in pollinating the trees. I am assuming that your trees bloom at the same time so that they can give and receive pollen at the same time.
There are many meadow mixes.
You are growing zone 6. Here are several options
https://bwsr.state.mn.us/seed-mixes
https://www.americanmeadows.com/collections/regional-wildflower-seed-mixtures?
https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/pollinator-conservation-seed-mixes
srsltid=AfmBOoqFBnb_xMg6QCUJeMP8oHVIyzkJnOYgtC3kcE-buC0QDBfEWlzd
https://www.prairiemoon.com/seed-mixes/#/?resultsPerPage=24
Clover is recommended because it fixes nitrogen in the soil to some degree decreasing the need for fertilizers. Apple trees will require, flower reduction, protection from apple borers, and annual mid winter pruning to keep them in the best harvesting shape.
Dutch white clover is used in mow-lawns because it is shorter. Meadows or wild flower lawns (bee lawns can handle the taller purple clovers.
There is a good reason to create a bee lawn in this kind of orchard, (besides it will be pretty). The bee lawn usually starts blooming in the spring before the apple blooms. This helps ensure that there are bees to assist the winds in pollinating the trees. I am assuming that your trees bloom at the same time so that they can give and receive pollen at the same time.
There are many meadow mixes.
You are growing zone 6. Here are several options
https://bwsr.state.mn.us/seed-mixes
https://www.americanmeadows.com/collections/regional-wildflower-seed-mixtures?
https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/pollinator-conservation-seed-mixes
srsltid=AfmBOoqFBnb_xMg6QCUJeMP8oHVIyzkJnOYgtC3kcE-buC0QDBfEWlzd
https://www.prairiemoon.com/seed-mixes/#/?resultsPerPage=24
