Last fall, just before harvest we turned the soil in alternate rows and planted a mixture that included rye, Australian winter peas, fava beans, vetch, and crimson clover. This spring we cultivated the alternate rows and planted a pathway grass crop. We’re planning to mow a couple times during the spring and summer, and just let these crops run for a couple of years before we’ll till the soil again. In this way we can grow plants that increase the nitrogen and friability of the soil, while attracting beneficial insects, and preventing erosion. The cover crop also helps to limit noxious weeds and other plants that have deeper root structures that would compete with the vines during periods of water stress. The cover crops will go dormant if we hit a dry spell, giving the vines a break from the healthy competition that controls vigor during the rainier times of the year.
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