5.23pm - Thursday 16th October 2014 27,250

I mulched around my trees in the spring when there is new green plant matter everywhere and rodents will be less drawn to my trees. Come winter time I pull the mulch back to discourage rodents from nesting next to the trees and eating at their leisure.

Other growers around me have mulched with gravel, others have done nothing. Next year I have some second year wood chips that I plan to spread around the trees to help keep back weeds and retain more moisture. For the winter I'm leaving the space around the tree clear.

For more about what I'm doing on farm visit: http://farmmarketingsolutions.com