Suggestions for planting under fruit trees

First off, thank you all for your contributions and responses to the list.
I am so greatful to have so many wonderful sources of information and
expertise, literally at my fingertips.  In the past, I was dependent upon
the local nursery folk, many of whom were merely hired hands and were
totally unable to answer my questions.  You guys are terrific!

So okay, here's my question for today.

Conventional wisdom says to plant your fruit trees away from flower beds
and leave only mulch beneath the trees -- the grove concept.  But
practically these days, our yards are too small for putting a bunch of
fruit trees out in the "back forty," and planting the pretty stuff near the
house.  I am planting both stone fruit and citrus in my yard (lots of them)
and want to integrate them into planting beds.  But I wonder about watering
appropriately, what plants (perennials, shrubs, etc.) will do well beneath
and around the trees, and how to select my underplantings so as to minimize
the disturbance on the fruit trees.  One advantage is that they will all be
planted within the same time frame, so the trees will "grow up" in the
planting beds.  But what makes for successful co-mingling?  Is it fruit
tree root stock?  perennial/shrub selection?  fertilization?  watering?
all of the above?

What is your experience?  What has worked well for you?  What cautions
would you suggest?

By the way, I am in the San Diego county area (365 day a year growing
season), coastal influence but not completely coastal.  Very mediterranean
climate.  We are in a river valley so our soil is fairly sandy with humus,
well drained, etc.

Thanks everyone!

Nan

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Nan Sterman, Master Composter in Residency
Olivenhain, California
Sunset Zone 24, USDA Zone 10b or 11
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So goes an old chinese proverb:
         If you want to be happy for a few hours, get drunk;
         If you want to be happy for a week-end get married;
         If you want to be happy for a week, barbeque a pig;
         If you want to be happy all your life long become a gardener 


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