Cover cropping: growth with a purpose

The standard

The matched ground cover chooses species, density and duration according to what the soil needs and the vine tolerates. What matters is the water supply, the nitrogen demand and the season in which the growth stands or gives way.

Criteria

• The choice of species follows a purpose: rooting, nitrogen or erosion control
• Competition for water stays matched to the supply
• The cover gives way where the vine does not tolerate it

Distinction

Cover cropping ≠ biodiversity: cover cropping is a practice, biodiversity one of its possible effects. Cover cropping ≠ fallow: fallow leaves ground unused, cover cropping uses it to tend the soil. Without the matched ground cover, growth becomes competition rather than a tool.