Best Method for Prepping an Area for Planting

Hello,

I was talking to a tree farm owner today about planting everything from a simple flower garden to blueberry bushes and we walked about how to prep an area and kill any grass or weeds that might be there.  He likes to use hay, which surprised me since I've heard that hay can have a lot of weed seeds. I've also heard that wood chips can be used.

Does anyone here have an opinion on this subject? Are there any good methods you'd suggest?

Good morning Mark! Here is a few ways I plant trees and bushes. Let’s start off with a big mistake people make around here. Folks dig a big hole in the clay and fill it with great compost or garden soil when planting. The plant looks great for a couple years then dies. But why is that? The roots have been given an easy road with no struggle. By the time they reach the edge of that clay bowl they aren’t strong enough to penetrate. The roots circle around themselves and choke the plant. When I plant I chop the clay up, and add a little compost. Works great every time.
There’s a couple ways I deal with weeds too. After the tree is planted crimp or cut the weeds and layer with cardboard. Top with wood chips, grass clippings or shredded leaves. After things have had time to settle I’ll plant strawberries, peas or perennial herbs around the tree. St. John’s wort and chamomile work really well in that situation. Depending on the season I will skip all that and start a Sepp Holzer style plant family. In the fall I may use winter pea, winter rye, mustard, turnips or daikon. All of those mixed together is even better!
In the spring I’ll use any sorts of flowers, peas or buckwheat. I normally don’t disturb the soil but make an exception in this case. A one time disturbance. I’ll walk around the tree pulling up weeds by the root and dropping in seeds that I like. Pull a weed, plant a seed!
I hope this helps and you have great success in your planting!