Commercial Growers

VINEYARDS

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These healthy soils allow grape vines to flourish because they provide the plants with a better medium with which to grow and derive their sustenance. Composts are primarily applied as mulches in the vine rows or on their mounds, which has been shown to increase grape yields, as well as increase grape Brix (sugar) and acid content – both which relate to juice quality (wine flavor). Documented benefits from compost use also include:

• Improved soil structure over time

• Reduced irrigation due to enhanced water retention and water-use efficiency

• Reduced bulk density in heavy soils, improving root penetration

• Supplies macro and micro plant nutrients – reducing fertilizer requirements

• Increases soil cation exchange capacity – reducing nutrient leaching

• May increase crop yield

• Improved vine quality and establishment

• Increased microbial activity

• Increased earthworm activity

• Protects against soil erosion

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General Soil Amending & Used for establishing new vineyards

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• Cultivate soil to condition it for planting using disc or similar implement.

• Uniformly apply compost at a rate of 20 tons/acre (or more), using a traditional manure spreader or other specialized equipment. Apply throughout the entire field, or concentrate within the planting rows.

  • Existing soil conditions, compost characteristics, and the nutrient requirements of the crop will influence appropriate compost application rates.

• Thoroughly incorporate the compost to a depth of 8-12 inches using a disc, mole board plow, or other tillage equipment.

• Construct trellise, on established row spacing.

• Plant vines in established rows (and mound soil over the root zone, if desired).

• Irrigation should then be applied based on plant needs, soil moisture, and climatic conditions.

  • Frequency of irrigation may be reduced during the growing season due to compost addition.

• Mulching – Used on established vineyards.

  • Uniformly apply a 2-3 inch layer of compost by hand using a side discharge manure spreader, or using other specialized equipment. Apply the compost in the vine row or over the mound in an approximately 12 inch swath. (Remember - always keep the compost mulch – any mulch - off of the vine stem.)

  • Water thoroughly.

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FEED CROPS

These healthy soils allow crops to flourish because they provide the plants with a better medium for which to grow and derive their sustenance. Composts can be used to add organic matter to agricultural soils, increasing the production of these soils through many benefits:

• Improved soil structure and workability

• Improved water holding in light soils

• Improved irrigation efficiency

• Supplies macro and micro plant nutrients which reduced bulk density in heavy soils

• Leads to reducing fertilizer requirements

• Increases soil cation exchange capacity – reducing nutrient leaching

• Increase yield potential

• Provides and feeds beneficial soil microorganisms – improved activity

• Protects against erosion

• Improved availability of major nutrients

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General Soil Amending

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• Where appropriate, cultivate soil to condition it for planting using disc or similar implement.

• Uniformly apply compost throughout the field using a traditional manure spreader (flail/rear discharge or side discharge), fertilizer/lime or other specialized equipment.

  • Lower rates (5-10 tons/acre) of compost are typically being used in multiple (successive) year applications as a nutrient supplement, organic matter source, and to improve water holding capacity.

  • Higher application rates (20-30 tons/acre) are used to modify soil structure and other properties in the short-term, as well as act as a primary nutrient source.

  • Existing soil conditions, compost characteristics and the nutrient requirements of the crop will influence appropriate compost application rates.

• Thoroughly incorporate the compost to a depth of 8 – 12 inches using a disc or mole board plow, or other tillage equipment.

• Plant seeds.

• Irrigation should then be applied based on plant needs, soil moisture, and climatic conditions.

  • Frequency of irrigation may be reduced during both plant establishment and the growing season due to compost addition.