When weeds compete excessively with the vine, the winegrower can choose to weed mechanically (see part Soil cultivation) or to sow grasses for cover cropping (see part Grassing Management )). However, there are also alternatives somewhat different from grassing, such as endogenous or exogenous mulching.
Mulching has several functions, but it is notably used to cover the soil, thereby offering protection and limiting the growth of weeds.
In this section, the term 'mulch' or 'exogenous mulch' refers to dry matter added to the plot as soil cover which has been grown off-site and on different soil.
Endogenous mulch is a cover crop that has grown on the plot and is then killed-off to become mulch.
Living mulch: is chosen for the purpose of soil cover in the same way as mulch dervived from cover crops that have been killed-off. The major difference is that this mulch is alive and rooted in the area as cover. It is used to protect the soil and improve its structure by limiting growth of undesirable weeds. The species chosen must meet mulch criteria.
Green manure: is a type of cover crop that provides protection but its main role is to act as fertilizer. It often consists of one or more plants that can capture atmospheric nitrogen and return it to the soil. Sometimes green manures can have the same role as mulch.