Sod or grass is the most common row-middle ground cover in apple orchards in Western NY. Many different grasses and grass mixtures are available. The OVN-Mix (Orchard- Vineyard-Nursery Mix - 40% proprietary perennial rye grass, 30% creeping red fescue, 30% chewing fescue) is the most common g round cov e r mix seeded after an apple orchard is planted today. Ideally, preparation for groundcover establishment should begin at the same time as preparations for orchard establishment. Once the trees are planted, posts, wires, and trickle irrigation should be installed quickly to support tree growth, followed by ground cover seeding and rolling. The entire sequence of orchard tasks (early tree planting, post/wire/trickle installation, and ground cover seeding) should be conducted immediately after planting. A new orchard planted as early as possible will facilitate grass germination in the rainy season late April-early May. A ground cover should germinate and establish quickly, and thereafter should not require much maintenance (re-seeding of bare spots, fertilization, or chemical weed control). It also has to be resilient under heavy machinery traffic for chemical thinning, liming, brushing, harvest, and insect and disease control (especially at the bottom of more steep slopes). A good ground cover establishment must be achieved with an optimal and economical seeding rate and must be maintained with minimal extra effort by the fruit grower. It should be chosen with specific requirements for climate and rainfall to maximize establishment and maximum growth. It should also be managed so that competition for nutrients and water with young apple trees is minimal.