Cover Crops
Selection considerations for COVER /companion crops
on Vineyards and Orchards

The solutions discussed are to aid in the selection of cost effective cover, which will perform to the advantage of the cash crop under natural rainfall and normal cash crop inputs. each can

Green manure

Non-reseeding or late maturing annuals can be used for initial erosion control or when the green manure advantage of growing your own N or soil organic is the prime objective. This solution can be maximized by yearly plowing or disking in the biomass. Disking or plowing has the down side of exposing the soil to erosion, oxidation of organics and disruption of soil mycology. It is in the long run more expensive than other options although lower initial cost and ease of establishing the larger seeded items like: Oats (Avena sativa), Barley (Hordium vulgar), Field Peas (Pisum sativum), Lana Vetch (Vicia dasycarpa), Common Vetch (Vicia sativa), Bell Beans (Vicia faba minor). Mowing can be used leaving the biomass to naturally incorporate from surface decomposition – can reduce summer weed establishment and is less costly and less destructive to soil biota. Mowing is constrained by cash crop cultural requirements and needs a no-till or range land seed drill to annually replant the cover with the least disturbance to the soil.

Permanent Companion Crop using ether reseeding annual or perennial plants

Annuals that will re-seed under natural rainfall when fall seeded are self-sustaining when the chosen plants fit the climate zone, soils, and cash crop inputs. The down side - slower organic build up and higher initial cost. Permanent reseeding annual cover list includes the following: (plus items from the green manure list where climate and cultural needs allow re-seeding) Zorro Annual Fescue (Vulpia myuros var. hirsuta), Cucamonga Brome (Bromus carinatus), Blando Brome (Bromus hordeaceus), Rose Clover (Trifolium hirtum), Subterranean Clovers (Trifolium subterraneum), Medics (Medicago spp), etc: There are many cultivars with deferring soil preferences and maturation times.

Read about Zorro Annual Fescue Certified Seed.

A few of our outstanding orchard mixes are:

Rapid Cover: A low cost, temporary erosion control solution. Once up, it will stabilize the soil at the surface. This saves valuable topsoil, costly repair and clean-up from runoff. It should be planted before the first rains. Does not reseed well, but plant residuals will protect soil surface the second year and add organics to pre-amend for subsequent landscaping.
45% Barley
45% Annual ryegrass
10% Crimson Clover
Critical Coastal Mix: Winter annuals for highly erosive areas where fast cover is desired. It has been formulated with compatible grasses and the addition of field flowers to lend some color. This is a permanent cover which reseeds itself.
30% Cucamonga Brome 25% California Oats
20% Zorro Fescue
10% Crimson Clover
10% Common Vetch
05% Low Profile Wildflower Mix
Native Perennial Grass and Low Legume Mix: Once established this is the ultimate low cost, true no-till companion crop for Vineyard production. It is a long lived, erosion controlling, deep rooted solution that will add organics, recycle nutrients, and grow when vines are dormant, go dormant when vines are active. The ability of carefully selected California Natives to re-grow each fall from dormant crowns makes cover faster, more forgiving, with positive protection of the soil from erosion and weeds. It should be planted before the first rains into a finely worked seedbed - may require supplemental irrigation and weed control during the first year to aid establishment.
45% Dwarf California Barley
14% Idaho Fescue
4% Coast Melic
37% "Low Legume Mix"
InsectaFlora Mix: Wildflower cover crop mix for commercial orchards. Creates a beautiful natural habitat for beneficial insects to reduce pesticide use.

Cover Crops Selection considerations for COVER /companion crops on Vineyards and Orchards

Cover Crops
Selection considerations for COVER /companion crops
on Vineyards and Orchards