Paint does look thin.  Might want to add some plaster of paris to the paint.
Thought leaving some weeds to help shade was good.  Voles totally ate up a plum tree or two.  Might of done more damage,  But saw this while I was cleaning up some old apple tree stump holes tonight.   Had a plum tree grwoing great this summer  with some clover growing a dit tall isnide the fence cage.