Journal | April 20, 2026

Native Cover Crops: formerly considered weeds, Jim Law documents the results of 20 years of nurturing low growing ground covers in the vineyard.

Native cover crops in the vineyard | Chickweed

Chickweed is one of my favorites. It germinates in late March, grows profusely in April, then browns and dies in early May leaving a natural dense mulch under the vines. However, this spring we are experiencing a fairly serious dry spell and the chickweed growth is not as impressive as usual, so we probably won’t have the same benefits of generous free organic matter additions to the vineyard.

The chickweed is already going to seed (a week or two earlier than normal). Once formed any physical disturbance stimulates a pop release of the seeds. When I occasionally have to get on all fours to crawl under the vineyard trellising, eyes need to be closed as the seeds spray into my face. 

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Hardscrabble Journal: April 20, 2026