Ripping

ripping is a viticultural operation conducted in many parts of the world before planting a vineyard in order to to break up compact soils so that water can penetrate and roots can grow to a greater depth. Normally bulldozers or heavy tractors are used along row lines, which also makes it easier to insert vineyard posts.

Ripping also provides the opportunity to incorporate fertilizers and soil amendments (see soil amelioration) such as phosphates, forms of potassium or lime, as they will not readily leach through the soil.