• Erosion Control - Many wine growing areas are having trouble with erosion. A grass cover is one of the most efficient ways to stop or limit erosion.
• Accessibility - During long periods of the year, it is difficult or impossible to enter fields due toslippery slopes or other problems due to heavy soils. Grass can fix the soil and allow access to the fields, with increased safety.
• Weed Control - A grass cover will be a valuable alternative for control of weeds inbetween the rows.
• Nitrogen Fixation - Adding clover to the mixture will allow a cheaper and more sustainable production, and a "slow release" fertilizer for the companion grass.
• Disease Control - The splashing of raindrops on the soil surface spreads many diseases. The presence of a grass cover will diminish the resk of dispersal of diseases.
• Yield control for quality - Reduction of grape yield to increase sugar contact (higher alcohol potential) and content of favorable flavors. Competition from grasses is a natural and efficient tool to control yield.

• Red Fescue - to assure groud cover in teh row intervals becasue thizomes tie the soil together and prvent soil erosion.
• White Clover - small leaved types are specially recommended becasue they have better ground cover than large leaf types. White clover will release nitrogen to the companion grasses and wine plants.
• Sheeps/Hard Fescue - Good for lower growth and low fertility areas.
• Wildflowers - Insectary wildflower mix attreacts beneficial insects which eat "bad" insects. Will help preent soil erosion. With there colorful apprearance wildflowers will promote a very aesthetic look for your vineyard.
• Poa Reptans - Very low growing (8" - 12"). Shade tolerant and dense. CAn be seeded at 2lbs/1,000 square feet by itself as a monostand. Germinates in 6-8 days with adequate moisture. Very wear tolerant. Goes dorment in the summer when vines need moisture. Will continually reseed itself.

Mixtures should be composed according to importance of individual goals. As a general guideline, we recommend to:

• Include a species with rhizomes or stolens in order to maximize ground cover
• Choose main species according to yield control objectives.
• Add clover whenever possible to support the grass

Pathway Mix (Permanent Cover):
60% Elf Perennial Ryegrass
20% Sunset Creeping Red Fescue
20% Ridu Hard Fescue OR

Pathway Mix with Clover:
50% Elf Perennial Ryegrass
Sunset Creeping Red Fescue
20% Ridu Hard Fescue
10% White Clover