What’s in the middle matters …

Cover crops in the in-betweens

One might think that in grape farming, we only focus on the vines and the fruit; however, in regenerative grape farming, it’s also about the what’s in the middle – the middle of the rows, between the vines.

In grape growing, one usual practice is to spray Liberty in a band about two feet wide, then simply till up the middles, keeping it bare. In other places, many growers spray Roundup in the middles to keep them clean.

At Union Grove Farm, you will find that we have clover, and 12 other organic plants, growing in our middles. We keep these ‘cover crops’ mowed relatively short to ensure they remain small and add organic matter to the grape plants. You can’t have the cover crop competing with the grapes for water. It’s our goal to build at least six inches of soil across our fields, and cover crops play an important part of adding both tilth and fertility to the soils. They also help prevent soil erosion, limit nutrient runoff, and can even help suppress some pests.

We are committed to #regenerative #viticulture and to ensuring how we farm is good for the fruit, for our community, and for the planet.

It’s become a motto around here: do what is right, not what is easy.

TW: @greghbohlen IG: @UnionGroveFarm IG: @bohlengreg #NCFarms #NCGrapes

#regenerativeagriculture #regenerativeviticulture #viticulture #regenerativefarming