Healthy soils are the foundation of a thriving orchard, which is why one of our ongoing goals is to keep our orchard floors covered. Cover crops are an important part of building a healthy orchard ecosystem, helping to protect soil from erosion, improve water infiltration, increase organic matter, and support the beneficial insects and microorganisms that contribute to long-term soil health.
With this commitment in mind, Frog Hollow joined Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative in March 2026, a member-owned agricultural cooperative whose mission is to make sustainable farming practices more profitable than conventional ones. The cooperative works to address some of agriculture's biggest challenges, including drought, flooding, soil degradation, and the economic pressures these issues place on farms. By identifying sustainable farming practices tailored to specialty crop growers and creating opportunities for members to share their experiences, the cooperative helps farmers adopt strategies that support the long-term health and resilience of their operations.
Today, about 200 acres of our orchard are home to volunteer cover, which is naturally occurring vegetation that grows without being intentionally planted. Another 50 acres have recently been seeded with annual cover crops, which are selected and planted each year to provide specific benefits to the orchard ecosystem.
As we continue looking for ways to improve our farming practices, we're excited to begin exploring perennial cover crops through our partnership with Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative. Unlike annual covers, which need to be replanted each season, once perennial cover crops are established, they continue to grow over many seasons, creating more consistent ground cover and offering lasting ecological benefits. This fall, we expect to trial perennial seed mixes on at least 10 acres of the orchard with support from an Advancing Markets for Producers grant from the USDA, awarded to Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative.
Our volunteer cover is already doing the important work of protecting soil, building organic matter, and supporting the insects and microorganisms that keep our soil healthy. Intentional seed mixes we are planning may help us optimize those benefits.
Our focus will be on selecting diverse seed mixes that help strengthen biodiversity throughout the farm. By creating tailored habitats for beneficial pollinators and encouraging natural predators of pests, we hope to further support the natural systems that contribute to a healthy and balanced orchard environment.
This work reflects our ongoing commitment to learning, adapting, iterating, and investing in the long-term health of our farm. We look forward to sharing updates from these perennial cover crop trials and the insights we gain along the way!