Every year around this time visitors to wine country will note wild mustard, fava beans and other cover crops growing in the rows between the vines. These are used by vineyard managers to help control pests, help with irrigation and to add nutrients to the soil. Here at Chateau Montelena, our Vineyard Manager Dave Vella has even planted turnip greens. Sounds like only edible foods are used, but that is not the case. We also use Triticale and barley, Zorro fescue, Bell beans, oats, and brassica. The mustard and other cover crops grow at a rapid rate, especially when we have periods of rain followed by days of sunshine. Watch the mustard grow before your eyes…
Dave- you looked like Chief Mustard (lol).