Mounding of Vineyard Rows at Cass Winery
Video 1 - Soil Preparation of the Row Middles
We have prepared the row middles by shallow discing, only
disturbing the layer of soil in which the highest level of organic matter
is concentrated (approximately 2 to 4 inches). At the beginning of the
season, the soil directly under the vine was cultivated using an
under-the-vine disc for assistance of weed control and preparation for the
addition of compost.
Video 2 - Adding Compost Under the Vines
We are placing 5 tons per acre of compost directly under the
vine for the addition of organic matter and to improve overall soil health.
Soil health directly under the vine is at times compromised due to
necessary operations in the vineyard such as additions of fertilizers,
weed control, and even the simple operation of irrigation with low quality
water.
Video 3 - Mounding Soil over the Base of the Vines
We are peeling off the 2 to 4 inches of top soil rich in organic
matter in the row middles and placing it under the vine, completely
covering the compost but yet leaving the graph unions on the vines
completely exposed as to not promote scion rooting. The trough left under
the vines will assist in channeling all irrigation water directly under
the vines.