Cover Crops

Cover Crops are a valuable tool in the vineyard. They reduce soil erosion, improve soil fertility, and create favorable soil tilth.

A successful cover crop program will include multiple overlapping goals. The right seed selection and long-term strategy can provide benefits for both the vineyard, and the greater community.

If You're Considering Cover Crops

One of the first questions to ask when thinking about cover crop management is, “What are my goals for this farming practice?” There are many purposes for seeding a cover crop. This question is important in determining which type of cover crop seed to use. The four general functions of a cover crop are to stop soil erosion, assist in pest management, provide nutrients to the soil, and compete for water in high vigor situations.

A low growing grass that has good drought tolerance will create a permanent cover crop to prevent soil erosion.
Certain types of brassica can help with nematode populations and improve soil tilth.
Legumes are great for nitrogen fixation, but they can be difficult to manage and potentially lead to unintended pest pressures.
Aggressive grasses are a smart choice for spring moisture competition. There is also the option to cultivate the soil in the drought years in case of lack of rainfall.

How to Seed a Cover Crop

There are two main ways to seed a cover crop:
Drilling
Some important components of the drill are the seed cup, disk opener, hopper, and press wheel. There are a few adjustments that need to be made each time the seed drill is used.
First, it’s important to know the size of the cover crop seed that will be used. The seed cup can be adjusted to slow down or speed up the seed distribution. Also, there is a disk opener that can be set for the appropriate pounds/acre seeding rate.
An important thing to also note is the hopper gauge that can be seen by the tractor driver. This will show when the hopper is empty, and more seed needs to be added.
There is also a cutting blade that can be used in no-till vineyards. If the vineyard is tilled in the spring, it’s important to keep in mind what will be used in the fall. That way the ground can be appropriately prepped for the next seasons seed.

Broadcasting
A seed broadcaster is the other commonly used method. It’s similar to smaller seeders that you can buy from any home and garden store. There is a setting for seed size and distribution is usually determined by the speed of the ATV.

Benefits of Cover Crops

Cover crops are vital for any Integrated Pest Management program. Flowering plants are a great way to establish an insectary. They attract beneficial insects and encourage biological pest control. The diverse plant population can build general predator populations to suppress these unwanted insects and mites.

An enjoyable byproduct of a healthy cover crop is beautification. By using a thoughtful approach to seed selection, a vineyard can improve in health as well as provide stunning scenery.