In the Vineyard; Planting Cover Crops for Healthier Soil
Courtesy of Thomas Moreno, Vineyard Manager
All Harmony Estate Wineries of Leelanau are Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified, but we continue looking for ways to go above and beyond the basic requirements to increase biodiversity¹ and sustainability in our farming practices.
To improve the health and vigor of our vines this growing season, Harmony Estate’s Vineyard Manager, Tomas Moreno, tried a new experiment - planting a variety of cover crops. Each row was tilled then seeded with either mustard, clover, oats, or Michigan native wildflowers. These plants are grown solely to improve and protect the soil.
Cover crops add natural nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and calcium to the soil. They also prevent the erosion of topsoil and retain moisture, reducing the need for irrigation. The roots from cover crops can also break up compact soil, creating deep channels for aeration², water permeation³, and space for vine roots to spread. Some cover crops also provide natural pest control; mustard is thought to deter unwanted insects like Japanese beetles.
The result of this experiment was positive; there was improvement in vine growth and vigor. The roots of the cover crops quickly penetrated the soil and were shown to hold moisture, and keep the fertile topsoil in place, even after the heavy rains this summer.
Courtesy of Thomas Moreno, Vineyard Manager
The other benefit of the cover crop experiment was aesthetic; the rows of wildflowers in the vineyard adds to their beauty. They also make the pollinators at the North Farm happy. It turns out bees and butterflies are big fans of cover crops too. In the fall, Tomas plans to try out radishes and low-growing sunflowers, two other popular cover crops. Stay tuned for final results!
Courtesy of Thomas Moreno, Vineyard Manager
¹Biodiversity is the wide variety of all living things on Earth, specifically focusing on genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.²Aeration is the process of mixing, circulating, or dissolving air or gas into a substance like soil, water, or food.³Permeation is the act of spreading through something, passing through a material, and reaching every part.