by Werner Els

Harvest is done and winter is here. This doesn’t mean that the work is done. Proper vineyard management is imperative all year round. Now that we have completed our composting and mulching project, it is time to plant some cover crops.

We have many clients that have asked us: Why are there weeds growing between the vines? or What is the reason for wheat growing amongst the vines?
Actually it is neither weeds nor wheat all but cover crops.

Numerous types of cover crops can be used for example:
Grazing Vetch (part of the legume family), Triticale (a hybrid between wheat and rye) and dwarf fescue (related to the grass family) are just a few that are currently used in agriculture.
Those “wheat or weeds” are there on purpose and plays an important role during the winter season.

Cover crop is planted for numerous reasons:
Since the Western Cape receives most of its rain during the winter period, it is thus important to keep the soils from compacting so that the vines can benefit from better water penetration.

By planting cover crop you also avoid losing the fertile top soils to ground erosion.

It discourages insects like ants and mealybugs as well as problematic weeds from spreading between the vines.

When winter is over, the cover crop can be cut down and serve as compost for the vines.

To conclude:
Cover crop makes up for an important part of vineyard management to insure healthy vines that will proceed to produce healthy good quality grapes for wine making.