Minimal disturbance explained
Minimal disturbance is important for LIME ROCK because it lessens the possibility of erosion on the hills. No 'flat earth' vineyard here!
Minimal disturbance involves:
- No cultivation - this destroys the soil's physical structure and leads to soil erosion. Planting was carried out using a water jet rather than ripping
- Maintaining a protective vegetation cover at all times protects the soil surface from rain drop impact and erosion. This is essential on all slopes.
- Recognising that volunteer plant species (weeds) are the species best adapted to and most favoured by disturbance.
- Recognising that mowing or grazing favours low growing or prostrate species.
- Deep rooted plants provide micro-pores for water infiltration.
- Establishing an equilibrium that is acceptable for sustainable vineyard management; eg spreading cudweed is a prostrate annual that fits in well.
- Recycling of nutrients from subsoils to the surface via weeds and other plants.
- Protecting essential ecological processes to maintain a biologically rich soil fauna and flora community.