Ploughing is by no means unique to any particular season, but it is important in different seasons for different reasons. In the summer, apart from weed-control it is also important to regularly aerate the earth. Keeping the surface of the earth broken (and very dusty and this time of the year) also serves to keep the moisture in the soil, which is particularly important after the recent dry (and very hot) spell. In the above photographs, Sergi is ploughing a newly planted vineyard. The planting was done with pre-grafted stock, and hence the growth is not nearly as spectacular as with those vines planted last year, and grafted this spring. Once again Sergi uses the hydraulic side mounted plough to get between the vines. In the summer this a flat cutter is used for this task, to just break the surface of the earth and remove any weeds.

By the way, when they've finished ploughing the vineyards there are always fields of Olive and almond trees in need of attention...