Planting a fruit tree orchard. Apples, plums, pears, cherries, pawpaw, hazelnut bushes etc. It should croud out weeds and be a good forage for ducks, muscovies, goats, and chickens. My good friend recommended clover. I'm still fishing for suggestions.

Short low growing perennials make the best groundcovers for orchards. Yarrow, comfrey, and oregano are three that I'd definitely use.

Ok so who has yarrow and common (edible leaves) comfrey?

Philip, you might want to ask over on the plant and seed trading forum: http://garden.org/forums/view/... to see if perhaps anyone has plants or seeds for trade or postage.

Dave, I just read that yarrow is toxic to chickens.

Interesting, I didn't know that. I grow yarrow in many places but never have offered it to the chickens. Well, skip that one, I guess.

As mentioned above, just about any low growing perennial herb would be excellent for orchards. Be creative and don't limit yourself to the suggestions but look for anything you can find. In our orchards we also grow mints, lemon balm, onions, chives, even daffodils and daylilies. The list goes on and on. Each plant brings its own interesting and useful characteristics. Variety is the spice of life.

Dave, great suggestions! I'll pass them along to the wife. I would like to make the orchard a part time muscovy run. Seeding it with lots of things that partner well with grapes and fruit trees and are good for poultry to eat.