Recycling garden waste into mulch for healthier wine grapes

By Ashmeeta Subra 10 October 2024

Vineyards in Victoria are using recycled waste from green bins to help grow healthier grapes, improving their quality and reducing chemical use.

Hew and Diana Richards, co-owners of Midhill Vineyard in Romsey, have been involved in a trial that reuses waste collected from Melbournians’ green bins. With 30 years of farming experience, the couple was thrilled to see a remarkable difference in their crops after incorporating garden waste.   

"You can certainly see a difference in the foliage. When the vines are up and growing, the foliage, compared with the control group, is much more vigorous. It looks better, healthier," Hew told ABC News. 

He noted that the flavours and mineral composition of the grapes had improved, which could potentially enhance the quality of the wine to be tested in the next batch.   

The trial, which started six years ago, is a collaboration between Sustainability Victoria and Melbourne Water, with an investment of $30,000 aimed at establishing a circular economy. So far, the results show that using this organic mulch during spring leads to stronger vines and fewer weeds.  

“The mulch helps keep the soil warm in spring and cool in summer, making it easier for the vines to grow,” said Karen Thomas, a facilitator for sustainable agriculture at Melbourne Water.    

Karen explained that the green waste collected from gardens is picked up, sorted and then processed into windrows before being composted to meet Australian standards, preparing it for reuse. 

The method offers a great solution for vineyards that have been looking for ways to reduce chemical use, allowing them to move away from herbicides and adopt more eco-friendly alternatives.    

Results from the trial have been encouraging, showing an 18 per cent increase in grape yield during colder months. However, there have been some challenges, as the mulch did not enhance growth as much as anticipated. To address this, researchers are now adding manure to improve the nutrients in the soil.  

Food scraps and organic waste should never be placed in your household recycling bin. Instead, they can be composted using a home composting system or through a specialised food and garden organics recycling service, often run by your local council.  

Visit Recycling Near You to learn more about organic waste and composting.  

Planet Ark does not take responsibility for the accuracy of the original information and encourages readers to check the references before using this information for their own purposes.