Journal | June 2, 2026

Native Cover Crops | Black Medic

Black Medic is my favorite native cover crop. I only really noticed it ten years ago when its abundant but tiny yellow flowers were in full bloom. While it is slow to spread, once it establishes it reliably reseeds itself each year. It grows in a dense thicket that out competes any undesirable weeds. It stays low enough to not reach the vine canopy. Finally, it is leguminous meaning it fixes nitrogen from the air into the soil. Free fertilizer.

To establish Black Medic in new areas the seed heads can be gathered and hand spread under the vines. It takes time to establish, but winegrowers are patient. We have to be.

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Linden Vineyards / Learn More / Latest at Linden | Hardscrabble Journal: June 2, 2026