Horsetail and nettle
I make them myself from plants I gather. Horsetail, rich in silica, toughens the leaves against fungi; nettle strengthens the vine. For two years they have been the backbone of my protection.
THE FIELD NOTEBOOK
Everything I do
in the vineyard.
Every time I walk into a vineyard with a product, a tool or my notebook, I write it down. Here it is, just as I write it: the week’s notes and every job, with what, where, when, how much and why.
I opened this notebook in October 2026. There isn’t much yet: it will grow with the season.
The copper counter
Copper protects the leaves from downy mildew, but it builds up in the soil. For two years I’ve hardly used any: I protect the vines with horsetail, nettle and trichoderma. I still add it up, vineyard by vineyard.
· kg of copper per hectare
What has been done
What is all this?
Trichoderma
A good fungus that lives in the soil. I grow it myself and bring it to the vineyard: it takes the place of harmful fungi and protects the roots and the wood.
Copper
An umbrella against downy mildew, the fungus that does most damage when it’s wet and warm. For two years I’ve hardly used any, but if a year calls for it, you’ll see it here.
Sulphur
A mineral against powdery mildew, the fungus that leaves a white dust on the grapes. As a powder or mixed with water.
Preparation 500
Cow manure packed into a horn and buried all winter. In spring it’s stirred in water for an hour and sprayed on the ground in the evening. It’s for the soil and the roots.
Preparation 501
Finely ground quartz in a horn, buried all summer. A tiny amount is sprayed on the leaves early in the morning. It goes with the light and the ripening.
Herbal teas
Horsetail, nettle, chamomile… Plant infusions that strengthen the vine and let me use less copper and sulphur.
Compost and the rest
Everything that isn’t a treatment: feeding the soil, sowing, working the ground. It’s logged too.
This notebook comes straight from the app where I log each day’s work.