Three rows of mature strawberries intercropped in each alleyway of an orchard in its third year of establishment. Intercropping will end when the peaches begin to bear fruit. The grower may intercrop for one more season. Tree trunks are coated with a mixture of white latex paint and thiram fungicide. Tomatoes are the alleycrop in this young orchard.
Every third alleyway is left open and planted with orchard grass.
The sod cover will support tomato harvest equipment and will supplement the soil with organic matter. The open alley is also necessary to allow the sprayer access to protect both the young trees and the intercrop from insect pests and crop diseases. Assistance from forest researchers and agricultural advisors has enabled the grower to manage his woodlot for high-quality hardwood sawlogs and intercrop the forest floor with ginseng and other medicinal herbs. Production of maple syrup is also being considered since the site is well stocked with mature sugar maples. Access roads and pathways are carefully designed to prevent damage to the intercrops.