To have a turf to harvest from, a permanent turf must be maintained in the orchard all season. A maintained turf cannot be used in orchards until trees are well established. Grass, like weeds, will stunt the growth of young trees that are not fully established. The flatter the orchard floor is kept during the season, the easier it is to prepare in fall. Clean-tilled orchards are usually disked between each irrigation.
Most growers disk in two directions.
Disking does a good job, but leaves the soil surface in rough condition. A drag of some kind should be attached behind the disk, or run as a separate operation, to smooth the floor after each operation. Adding a drag behind the disk is most economical. Spot treatment during the season with a fresno will keep the orchard floor flat, and will fill in any holes or tire tracks that might result from orchard spraying or other operations. Final preparation should be done in late August or early September.