| If you have a grapevine, the know-how of | | | | - During the third spring and summer, allow vine |
| Pruning Grapes is a must. This shouldn't | | | | to grow and retain your framework by removing |
| intimidate you as you'll quickly get the knack of it | | | | any growth from trunk. |
| with practice. | | | | - During the third winter, leave twelve buds along |
| Here are some basic tips to give you a broad | | | | each of the arms. This is crucial to future fruit |
| overview. You'll need more technical info when | | | | production as these will produce fruit during the |
| you're actually doing the pruning. | | | | fourth summer and will remain on the plant |
| Here's Some Quick Pointers On Pruning Grapes: | | | | forever. |
| - Grapes should be pruned during the dormant | | | | - Practice pruning the renewal buds so there's |
| season, late November to March, late winter | | | | always one more bud growing from the tip. This |
| preferably. You'll need bypass pruners and a | | | | practice will continue from the fourth winter on. |
| grape stake. | | | | Each new season the buds will extend and grow |
| - Don't prune Year 1. All grapes produce fruit on | | | | one-bud length. During the summer, fruit on the |
| one-year old wood. During this year, allow the | | | | new growth will spring from the renewal bud. To |
| vine to grow any-which-way as abundant stems | | | | keep the plant under control, keep the buds short |
| and leaves will help develop a strong root system. | | | | during the dormant season.sing A Step By Step |
| - Select the strongest and most vigorous stem, | | | | Guide To Help You With Pruning Grapes |
| removing all other stems at base of plant or close | | | | It's highly recommended to use a guide with not |
| to trunk on main stem as possible. This will | | | | only step-by-step techniques but drawings or |
| become the trunk. Secure the vine along the | | | | pictures is preferred to make your pruning easier |
| fence with wire or grape stake. Allow the stems | | | | and without complications. |
| to grow from main trunk. | | | | You'd certainly save yourself time and frustration, |
| - In spring of Year 2, remove all but two of the | | | | especially if this is the first time that you're |
| best side shoots growing from trunk. If vine isn't | | | | pruning grapes. Without a guide, you're liable to |
| branching where you want it to, pinch the top of | | | | make costly mistakes that will cost you both time |
| main trunk to encourage side branching. | | | | and money. It's well worth the investment in a |
| - During mid-summer, cut back the top of the | | | | guide that will teach you exactly the steps |
| trunk (tip prune) when the vine is at desired | | | | involved in Pruning Grapes so that you'll be sure to |
| height to force new growth along main trunk. | | | | have a healthy and fruitful grapevine. |
| Remove any new branches out of place with | | | | A good guide will also take any mystery out of |
| your design-frame. | | | | pruning grapes and turn this challenging task into |
| - During second winter, cut back all but the | | | | yet another success for your record books! |
| desired side branches and main trunk. Now you | | | | So, do you want to start pruning grapes with |
| have the basic frame for your grapevine, your | | | | making costly mistakes? Today? Right now? |
| upright stem with two sets of side branches. | | | | |