Good work Big,
We just bought same in the east and tho the backyard is dominated by a huge oriental plum, ive wacked in a 4 bed vegie patch and started my herb garden.... just got my borage, valerian and rue ...

I figure if its growing its good!

I have a soil heap and the sprouts from the tree in front just get dug in

Best of luck

hi bigsteps,
if you go to this web site you will see info about a herb that is used by some as a composting agent.
its called "kudzu"
go to the bottom of the page and you will find the info about how it has been used as compost.
if i had a big enough place like yours,i would use this plant.
http://www.herbsarespecial.com.au/newpages/book/sample/sample37.html
also,not many people know that dandelions planted under fruit trees,ripens the fruit earlier,so if you will have trouble because of the cold,the gas that dandelion gives of will help to ripen the fruit.
you have comfrey?is this hard to get?
do you really have that much rain?

The following herbs are good companions for fruit trees.

Chives, Fennel, French Marigold, Garlic, Horseradish, Lemon Balm, Mustard, Nasturtiums, Silverbeet, Southernwood, Spinach, Stinging Nettle, Tansy, Yarrow

Comfrey is an excellent herb for the compost heap, as it helps things to break down quickly and provides lots of nutrients. Yarrow in the compost is also good, but too much of it slows down the composting process. Put in say a couple of leaves per wheelbarrow-loadful. Basil prunings break down quickly, too, and add bulk. If you have a lemongrass like mine, you'd get plenty of mulch and composting material. Slow to break down, though, without the heat of a compost heap, which is good if you use it as a mulch.

These are both HUGE topics, so it might be worth your while to search for 'herbs in compost' and 'companion planting'.