Page 59 - Grapevine SeptOct 2021

Around The Vineyard

Perennial crops such as ryegrass and tall fescue crops dominating. While complex mixtures of cover
have been bred for forage and high yield, and they crops are often planted, Jones said that generally,
do require frequent mowing. Legumes like fava only a few species within a mixture contribute sig-
beans, white clover and strawberry clover can add nificantly to the cover crop’s biomass. Over seeding
nitrogen to the soil. Be mindful when sharing the in alleyways can result in an improved cover crop,
land with livestock, as Jones addressed a fungus though one must be mindful that any existing cover
– endophyte – that can be present in certain turf- crop or weeds can be quite competitive with the
type cover crop grasses and can be harmful to live- newly seeded plants.
stock if grazed.
When debating to till or not to till, Jones said that
From an environmental perspective, planting tillage could be hard on soil aggregation and the
deep-rooted perennial crops can improve soil pores in the soil. “If you’re interested in maximizing
health and decrease runoff. These crops will infiltration and soil health, consider a notill sys-
sequester carbon that helps to address some cli- tem.”
mate change concerns and build soil organic mat-
ter. He added that tillage and herbicide can be used to
The planting schedule for cover crops varies kill all existing plants, and they are important tools
according to a given region. For example, in a state in many growers’ toolboxes. Once the soil is devoid
like Oregon, known for hot, dry summers, many of existing vegetation, one can more successfully
cover crops are planted in the fall to establish their establish a cover crop free from unwanted plants.
root system before the summer. Those opting to farm using organic and low-input
means by not using pesticides may need to contend
The way a field is mowed, irrigated or fertilized with other plants sprouting alongside their cover
will result in different mixtures of species of cover crops. Also, self-seeding or self-regenerating winter

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