Diversity

LEGO® Grower’s feeling pretty pleased with himself. His mid-row and under -vine planting trials have been a huge success, and now vineyard biodiversity has increased. Great for the soil, great for the vines, and great for the environment. Win-win for all!

Increasing vineyard biodiversity is important to LEGO® Grower. A few years ago, he started sowing a wider range of permanent plants in the mid-rows (strips between the vines); things like clovers, plantain, cocksfoot, buckwheat and wildflowers. Increased biodiversity means healthier soil and provides a home for the beneficial insects that predate on vineyard pests.  On warm days, the mid-rows are buzzing with bees and other busy insects.  And that is incredibly satisfying.  Plus, he thinks the wildflowers look pretty when they flower.  

LEGO® Grower also want to spray less, and this season, trialled sowing a permanent sward under the vines. Not spraying under-vine, means healthier soils, time saved and money saved: less spray and less tractor passes. Altering the seeder tubes to drop seed under-vine instead of mid-row was a challenge for LEGO® Grower: nothing like a bit of Kiwi ingenuity and baling twine to fix the problem!

Increased biodiversity really is a win-win: a win for LEGO® Grower and a win for the vineyard environment.