Expert Grower Database: Cover Cropping Practices in Orchards and Vineyards

Database Instructions

This database describes the cover cropping strategies, detailed practices, benefits, and challenges of experienced cover crop growers in orchards and vineyards in the southern Sacramento Valley (including the Capay Valley) and the North Coast viticulture region. Most of the entries were derived from information provided by growers for the 2020-21 cover cropping season. Content was only edited for clarity. Mention of specific practices does not imply a recommendation by the University of California.
  • Scroll down to the bottom to begin viewing all 51 farm entries. Click on a farm's name to see detailed information about the farm and its cover cropping practices.

  • If you prefer to see a shorter list of farms based on specific criteria, you may select from among the filters below. If you get no results, reset one of the filters to SELECT VALUE and try again. Any filter that is not used will automatically result in all options within that filter being included in the results. We advise that you use no more than 1 to 4 filters at the same time.

Any reference to commercial products, companies, and organizations are based on growers' statements, and do not imply an endorsement by the University of California. This website was funded in part by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under award number G158-21-W7906 through the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, under project number RGR20-006. USDA is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed on this website are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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Organic management
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Farm Name County Soil Type Organic Primary Benefits Challenges Addressed Planting Method Termination Method Crops Current Cover Crops
Be Love Farm Solano Clay loam Yes Soil improvement, Pollinator support, Insect predator support Other Mow, Graze walnuts, pecans, chestnuts, stone fruits, pears, olives, winegrapes resident vegetation
Beckstoffer Napa Clay loam No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Nitrogen supplement, Yield enhancement Risk of frost, Establishment difficulties Drill seed Disc, Mow Winegrapes legumes, grasses
Benden Farms Colusa No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Insect predator support Vertebrate pests, Cost, Labor availability Mow Walnuts resident vegetation
Bernier Vineyards Sonoma Gravelly loam Yes Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Nitrogen supplement, Pollinator support, Yield enhancement Risk of frost, Establishment difficulties, Vertebrate pests Drill seed Disc, Mow Winegrapes legumes, grasses
Bond Vineyards Napa Silt loam, Clay loam No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Nitrogen supplement, Yield enhancement, Insect predator support, Pollinator support Risk of frost, Establishment difficulties, Vertebrate pests Broadcast seed Graze, Mow Winegrapes legumes, grasses, brassicas, insectary mix
Bonny Vineyards Napa Silt loam, Clay loam No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Nitrogen supplement, Pollinator support, Yield enhancement Risk of frost, Establishment difficulties, Cost, Labor availability, Insect pests and sanitation or nematode issues Drill seed Mow Winegrapes legumes, grasses
Bullseye Farms Yolo Clay loam No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Insect predator support, Improved orchard floor for harvest, Pollinator support, Nitrogen supplement Orchard floor residue at harvest Drill seed Roller Crimper, Mow Walnuts legumes, grasses, brassicas
Capay Hills Orchard Yolo Loam Yes Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Pollinator support, Nitrogen supplement Establishment difficulties, Orchard floor residue at harvest Broadcast seed Mow Almonds legumes, grasses
Capay Organic Yolo Yes Nitrogen supplement, Weed control, Aesthetics, Water infiltration/retention Establishment difficulties Drill seed Pistachios, figs, stone fruits legumes, grasses
Dalla Valle Napa Gravelly loam No Soil improvement, Nitrogen supplement, Insect predator support Risk of frost, Establishment difficulties Broadcast seed Disc, Mow Winegrapes legumes, grasses