Question on Ground Covers

Hello all

8 acres North central NC area, starting a forest garden on back section, includes hillside down to a crick

Plans for remaining land will be used for barn, pasture, garden, orchard etc

Previous scrub/brambles ground down to the ground, debris left intact

Started with 12 native plum trees, waiting on 6 american hazelnut trees

Planning for diversity, see what survives/thrives - fruits, nuts, berries, etc

Thoughts on best options for ground covers, white clover? Need things to stabilize soil & out-compete weeds and brambles

Will bush hog as needed until the chainsaw weed gives up

soils is mix of rocks and clay and some lighter soils, said to have been a farm many years ago

advice appreciated

thanks

What can you get for seed in your area in bulk? I like crimson clover. But I dont like vetch..
you might plan on digging in contour swales on that hill first. Then plant field peas, clovers, etc.  

What livestock do you have?

None at this time. I’m getting every thing I compost wise need from the neighbors goats. Maybe I’ll get some ducks. Every thing else is wildlife, turkey, deer and quail.

Matt Dirk wrote:What can you get for seed in your area in bulk? I like crimson clover. But I dont like vetch..
you might plan on digging in contour swales on that hill first. Then plant field peas, clovers, etc.  

Matt,

I did get some white dutch clover for the perennial benefit and low growth height.  I want to get crimson clover too for the front (future) pasture area but it has natural cover now.  Looking for ideas on mass ground covers to choke out brambles and then continue planting a forest garden as I go.  Off to search for plant lists...  

Denny,

I'm about 100 miles north of you, so I will be paying attention to this thread.  How are you going to plant initially?  Are you dealing with pasture now?

You can mail order white clover and crimson clover in bulk at a decent price.

Chris,

My site was mostly grown over scrub and briars.  A skidsteer-mounted grinder has reduced this to chips and debris on the ground. I have put out some white clover seed but not sure yet if it will come up.  Planting various trees and shrubs now.  Some areas have red clay hard as concrete, my tractor mounted auger got stuck in the clay in one spot.  May try some tillage radish that I read about here.  I want to add comfrey near my fruit trees.  In the front, mostly flat area, I plan to make into pasture.  Have one more day of grinding to go before I can start on fencing.  A forest garden doesn't happen overnight even if you want it too. ;-)  

Get a nice mix of clovers and alfalfa.