When the plot is both very homogeneous and very vigorous, a total grassing may be considered. If the opposite is true, a partial grass cover may be more suitable. This could correspond to one row out of two, one row out of three or even one row out of four.
When water and nitrogen are availible in abundance, the plot can be fully covered with grass without any risk of competition with the vines. If the opposite is true, a partial grassing would be more appropriate.
When tractor driving conditions are difficult (puddles, muddy & slippery pathways...), a full grass cover is recommended. At the very least, grass cover on the rows used to apply protective treatments should be considered. A partial grassing can make it easier to get through some of the rows but it would mean that the grassed rows would no longer be at the same level as ungrassed ones. However, if the plot in question is not subject to access difficulties, a partial grassing can be considered as long as the plot's hydromineral reserves and vigor are sufficient.
Grassing between the vine stocks is possible. Competition is fairly limited as the surface area planted with a grass cover crop is small compared to what it is inter-row. Also, given this particular location, the vines' roots probe deep into the soil. If a grass cover crop between the vine stocks is desired, pilosella hawkweed (Hieracium pilosella) is a good option. Whilst it appears competitive, it skims the soil and provides good coverage and shelter.
Other species such as subterranean clover, downy brome and barley have allelopathic properties that further limit weed growth. Some leguminous plants such as strawberry clover are also good candidates for planting in between the vine stocks, though they are not very long-lasting. Other trials are being carried out on sedum and thyme species. It would appear that pilosella is the best suited crop for this purpose, despite the transplanting process to plant it being particularly time-consuming.
If a plot's soil is completely bare or has only been partially-planted to grass, the non-grassed rows must still be maintained to avoid unwanted weeds. For this, a superficial tillage or a chemical weed control can be considered. Alternatives to herbicides, such as mechanical weeding or mulching exist, meaning that a chemical solution can be avoided. See part on Weed management using mulching
Extending grass cover to include the headlands, pathways and edges of the plots is also an option. This can improve the soil bearing capacity, increase plant diversity and limit erosion and water runoff at the end of the rows. The INAO has even made it obligatory to plant permanent grass cover on headlands as well on areas between plots that haven't been planted or cultivated. However, this does not apply if the headlands need reforming after damage caused by erosion or abnormal weather conditions.