Wine Diary
Rolling instead of mowing
This is the phase between spring and summer when plants require the greatest amount of energy. The beneficial rainfall in mid-May stimulated vegetative growth and briefly brought some relief. But for the past week, early summer conditions have returned. Our vineyards are experiencing this renewed period of heat and drought as a strain, intensified by competition from the vigorously growing cover crops. We are responding promptly and effectively by rolling the cover crop between the vine rows instead of mowing it. In this process, grasses and legumes are bent over, forming a protective mulch layer that shields the soil from drying out. The resources released in the process — including those made available by the nitrogen-fixing bacteria at the plants’ roots* — together with the preserved soil moisture help reduce stress on the vines. The flattened grasses have already flowered and produced seeds, which will dry, fall to the ground, and in time contribute to renewed natural ground cover.
