Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
In mild-winter climates, a cover crop can grow through the winter months even
when the vines are dormant. In spring, you can mow or disc it into the soil, where
it will add fertility and structure.
Late fall and early winter is the best time to plant a seasonal cover crop or ground
cover between the rows, so that fall and winter rains can help them to grow. High-nitrogen
cover crops such as fava beans especially benefit during the rainy season in mild-winter
climates. Some cover crops can be planted in the spring, or you may need to plant in spring
if you live in a very-cold-winter region.
A wide variety of plants can be used as cover crops, such as clover, vetch, fescue, or
ryegrass. You can buy specialty blends, such as all legumes or mixes to attract beneficial
insects. For even coverage, buy a seed dispenser to spread the seed between the rows of
your vineyard. Do not allow the cover crop to grow under the vines; allow a 14 to 18 inch
strip of bare ground under the trellis. In the first year, do not let the cover crop grow too
high; mow it after 3 to 4 inches of growth.
When you mow the cover crop, leave the mowings/clippings on the ground. Keep in
mind that tall cover crops like legumes and especially mustard can be hard to cut down
by hand, so unless you have a decent mower, stick to clovers or other lowergrowing cover
crops.
To encourage seeding for the next year's cover crop, allow the plants to go to seed and
then rototill them into the ground or mow the mature crop. If you collect seeds from the
