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.

Download the Cover Cropping Practices Database as an Excel Spreadsheet
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
Organic management
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
You may select more than one, leave as default to select all
Farm Name County Soil Type Organic Primary Benefits Challenges Addressed Planting Method Termination Method Crops Current Cover Crops
Dogtown Farms Yolo Heavy clay Yes Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention, Weed control Competition for water Mow Pomegranates resident vegetation
Double A Walnuts: certified organic Colusa Sandy loam Yes Nitrogen supplement, Soil improvement, Insect predator support, Pollinator support Vertebrate pests Broadcast seed Mow Walnuts: Certified Organic legumes, grasses, brassicas
Double A Walnuts: nematode problem block Colusa Sandy loam No Nitrogen supplement, Soil improvement, Insect predator support, Pollinator support Broadcast seed Mow Walnuts: Nematode problem block grasses, brassicas
Double A Walnuts: transitioning to organic Colusa Sandy loam Yes Nitrogen supplement, Soil improvement, Insect predator support, Pollinator support Broadcast seed Mow Walnuts: Transitioning to organic legumes, brassicas
Erdman Farms: bearing almonds Colusa, Yolo Gravelly loam No Pollinator support Establishment difficulties Drill seed, Broadcast seed Mow Almonds: Bearing legumes, grasses, brassicas, insectary mix
Erdman Farms: non-bearing almonds Colusa, Yolo Gravelly loam No Soil improvement, Water infiltration/retention Establishment difficulties Drill seed, Broadcast seed Mow Almonds: Non-bearing legumes, grasses, brassicas, insectary mix
Erdman Farms: walnuts Colusa, Yolo Loam No Soil improvement Establishment difficulties, Cost Drill seed, Broadcast seed Mow Walnuts legumes
Frog and Bee Farm Yolo Heavy clay Yes Walnuts, stone fruits, pome fruits resident vegetation
Full Belly Farms Yolo Clay loam Yes Soil improvement, Prevent frost damage Termination difficulties, Risk of frost, Orchard floor residue at harvest Drill seed Mow, Graze Walnuts legumes, grasses, brassicas, insectary mix
Gold Oak Ranch Yolo Heavy clay Yes Nitrogen supplement, Soil improvement Risk of frost Drill seed Mow, Disc Citrus legumes, grasses