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03/01/2010

Sustainability Spotlight: Cover Crops

California wine-grape growers take pride in their efforts to grow delicious, flavorful grapes in a sustainable and responsible way. Growers always look for tools and techniques that will make the least impact on the environment, thereby preserving natural resources for future generations. One of the tools of the trade is the use of cover crops.

A cover crop is essentially a crop that is planted between vineyard rows. Cover crops can be native grasses, mustard, winter peas, oats and even wild flowers, and often they make for an aesthetically pleasing vineyard landscape. But they are not planted for their beauty. Cover crops allow growers to preserve and enhance the state’s agricultural land in a sustainable way, encouraging healthier vineyards and grapevines, as well as higher quality, better-tasting wine.

So how does planting a cover crop promote a healthier, higher-quality vineyard? Let’s take a look at a few of the benefits:

Reduce soil erosion: Erosion of soil is a common problem in agriculture. Wind and water can carry topsoil out of the vineyard, where it can end up in water sources and/or alter the local ecosystem, not to mention depleting the vineyard. Cover crops’ roots and foliage help the soil stay in place, acting as a physical barrier between rainfall and the soil and preventing soil from being displaced.

Improve soil quality and structure: Cover crops increase nitrogen in the soil and decomposed cover crops can help increase the ability of the soil to hold and exchange nutrients. Additionally, as roots penetrate further into the soil and begin to decompose, the void that is left in the soil helps the movement of air and water. This limits the need for supplemental fertilizers and promotes natural farming techniques.

Provide environment for beneficial insects: Cover crops provide excellent habitats for predator insects, such as spiders and ladybugs, which like to feed on harmful insects like aphids, mites or caterpillars. Growers who plant cover crops report fewer issues with problem insects, and as a result, cover crops are becoming the norm in California.

While the benefits of cover crops on a vineyard’s health and vitality are many, the overall benefit is a more sustainable approach to wine-grape growing. By using natural means to improve soil quality, prevent soil erosion and limit insect damage, growers are able to limit and forego other methods requiring inputs. These natural methods are not only better for the vineyards, but are also better for the environment, people and resources that support California’s wine-grape growing industry. And by carefully monitoring the health of their vineyards at every step of the growing process, wine-grape growers produce better tasting grapes, which produce higher quality wine – a win/win for everyone.

Sources: Napa Sustainable Winegrowing Group and “Practical Winery and Vineyard."

Cover crops are a sustainable tool that reduces soil erosion, improves soil quality and provides environment for beneficial insects.