DO THE VINE ROWS NEED TO BE KEPT WEED FREE? CAN I USE A COVER CROP INSTEAD?
A ground cover is only acceptable for the aisles. The rows need to be kept _COMPLETELY_ weed (plant) free. Keeping a weed free zone under the vine may be the single most important factor in determining the long-term health of the vine. I think that the best options are: 1. Clean culture (physical removal of all weeds) – This is expensive & time consuming. 2. High quality polyethylene mulch covered with rocks. (This is also very expensive & time consuming to apply, but once installed it is much superior to the plastic mulch alone). The rocks on top of the plastic greatly extend the lifespan of the plastic mulch by keeping it sheltered from the sun. Additionally; the combination of the plastic & the rocks retain & reflect heat, thereby helping to ripen bunches close to the ground. 3.
