As a perennial crop, grape production implicates many practices that deplete soil health, and overtime decrease or limit vine productivity. A majority of the vineyards in the Lake Erie grape region have been in production for over 50 years, with an intense regiment of management practices leading to a range of soil health problems. To combat these problems some growers are turning to cover crops as a floor management practice.
Buckwheat
Extracts soil phosphorus.
Attracts pollinators.
Suppresses weeds.
Crimson clover
Nitrogen fixer.
Suppresses weeds.
Protects soil from erosion.
Prairie grass
Protects soil from erosion.
Suppresses weeds.
Adds organic matter to soil.
rye grass
Increases percolation.
Reduces erosion.
Reduces compaction.
sunflower mix
Attracts beneficial insects (pollinators/beneficial predators).
Suppresses weeds.
Increases water-holding capacity of the soil.
sweetpea
Nitrogen fixer.
Tolerant of cold temperatures.
Water-efficient.
Tillable radish
Control erosion.
Suppress weeds.
Roots create deep channels for water to move through the soil and become more accessible.
Wildflower mix
Attracts beneficial insects.
Suppresses weeds.
Adds organic matter to the soil.
Dutch clover
Nitrogen producers.
Prevent soil from erosion with dense, shallow roots.
Stand up well to heavy traffic.
Oats
Add Biomass.
Suppress weeds.
Scavenge excess nutrients.
wild mustard
Manage soil-borne pathogens. (Biofumigation)
Suppresses weeds.
Generally winterkills. (26 degrees Fahrenheit)
See more pictures of our cover crop trials here.
Check out our podcasts for more information on cover crops: