Farm Information

County: Sonoma
Location: Alexander Valley
Slope: 15-3% slopes
Irrigation system: None. Dry farmer
Soil type: Gravelly loam
Soil detail: Gravelly soil
Special farming challenges: Low soil fertility and steep slopes

• Cropping Systems Information
• Crop: winegrapes
  Acres of orchard or vineyard: 35

  Other crops: No
  Acres of other crops: n/a
  Organic management: Yes
  Certifications: Organic
  Certifications notes: n/a
  Where using cover crops: Vineyard

• Grower Experience, Farm Priorities, and Cover Cropping Goals
• When started farming (yr): 1970s
  Farm priorities: To farm in a way that enhances and maintains soil fertility.
  Years growing orchard or vineyard crop: ~45 years - since the 1970s
  Years growing cover crops: 36 years
  Initial transition to cover cropping: They seeded everywhere in the vineyard. They were actually one of the first ones to do it in the region.
  Goals and benefits: Nitrogen supplement, yield enhancement, pollinator support, soil improvement, water infiltration/retention
  Benefits description: Nitrogen fixing, yield enhancing, support pollinators, erosion control, soil health/soil organic matter, soil water holding capacity
  Change in goals over time: About the same now. They look at cover crops as means to hold nutrients in the soil.
  Reasons: Not many changes
• Cover Crop Details, Planting and Management Methods

• Block described here: Winegrapes
  Current cover crops: Legumes, grasses
  Species and mixes: We use a mix of vetch, bell beans, Australian peas, barley and oats.
  Planting method: Drill seed
  Planting date (2020): Late October
  Was that optimal? Yes, we usually try to get the cover crop seeded after harvest right before the first rains.
  Pre-plant soil prep: Compost application
  Planting equipment: Drill seeder
  Seeding rate: 40 lb/acre
  Seeding depth: 1-2 inches
  Did it germinate well? No. It did not germinate that great and mustards overpower the cover crop but the cover crop has been growing relatively well under the mustard. .
  Additional management and advice: n/a

• Cover Crop Termination Methods and Biomass Management

• Termination method: Mow, disc
  Termination equipment and process: Mow with flail mower and disc in
  Termination date: n/a
  Was it optimal? n/a
  Biomass management: Incorporated.

• Cover Cropping Challenges and Strategies to Address Them
• Challenges: Risk of frost, establishment difficulties, vertebrate pests
  Challenges description: Risk of frost damage to vines, water availability/difficulties irrigating cover crop
  Strategies to address challenges: Mowing for frost protection.
  Was the cover crop worth it? n/a​​​​​​​
  Least successful past cover crops: n/a