Solarization

This past summer we started working on expanding the vineyard.  As part of preparation for this expansion we marked off roughly where the rows would be placed and covered up each row with a tarp to solarize the soil.  This process can help to control not only weeds, but also fungus, nematodes and certain bacteria by heating the soil during the hottest months over the summer.   Additional benefits during the breakdown of the organic material will provide nutrients to include nitrogen, calcium, folic acid, magnesium and potassium to the soil structure.

Watering rows before plastic placement

We got started in late July. The first step after site selection and row placement is to soak each row heavy with water. Then, we rolled the dark plastic tarp out and stapled firmly to the ground.  It wasn’t until after the first soft frost that we then removed the plastic.

I sent a soil sample to Virginia Tech and the results came back good.  All that was needed was the addition of lime.

Sprayed around rows to keep grass back.

Tilled in lime and break up of soil to set up over the winter.

Final result in October

The next steps early this spring before the baby vines arrive is to add a nice layer of compost to the soil and install wooden posts for preliminary trellis prep.