Grapes AMA
Canadian grape growers now have access to an innovative, organic soil amendment that’s improving vineyard soil quality and producing healthier, more resilient vines in California.
Developed in California and tested by growers, university researchers and the United States Department of Agriculture, TerraVesco® Vermicompost has demonstrated its ability to improve the quality and yield of grape and orchard production. It is the first vermicompost solution of its kind available north of the border.
Vermicompost
Grape growers know better than anyone that quality wine depends on healthy terroir. TerraVesco Vermicompost enables growers to naturally accelerate the quality, fertility and porosity of their soil by increasing organic content and microbial diversity, which in turn enables increased nutrient uptake in plants.
The pay-off starts right away during transplant. Growers are seeing lower levels of transplant shock and increased take rates during the in-field transplant process. Already within the first year, vines are more resilient against certain soil-born pathogens and weather extremes including cold, damp conditions, which is important in a Canadian climate. Established vineyards continue to support soil and plant health by using the vermicompost as a top dressing.
“We started using this innovative soil amendment to produce Ellepots by A.M.A.TM for California wine grape and tree nut growers more than five years ago, and we’ve seen the benefits first hand,” says Rick Bradt, Managing Director, A.M.A. Horticulture Inc. “By bringing this product to Canada, our aim is to help our wine industry compete by producing healthier, more resilient plants.”
TerraVesco’s proprietary production process uses pre-composted organic dairy manure to eliminate weed seeds and harmful pathogens. Millions of red wiggler worms convert the manure into an organic soil amendment that is consistent in texture and performance from batch to batch. It is CDFA-certified and OMRI-listed in Canada and the USA.
“Sustainable solutions like TerraVesco Vermicompost are helping our industry move away from chemical-based products while continuing to drive high yields, high quality products and strong bottom lines,” says Connie Bradt-Monsma, Managing Director, A.M.A. Horticulture Inc. “We’re proud to bring this solution to Canada to support our wine grape and orchard growers, and help cultivate the future of horticulture.”
TerraVesco Vermicompost is available in Canada at A.M.A. Horticulture Inc., a solutions-focused distributor that has been serving the horticulture industry since 1982.