| Along with weeding and pest control, pruning your | | | | the fruit. As new branches grow that do not fit |
| grapes is one of the top three tasks that every | | | | within this basic framework you can clip them off. |
| grower should master. Pruning grape vines is | | | | By the time you reach the dormant period of the |
| important for controlling your grape production | | | | second year, your vine should be in good shape. |
| and the quality of your grapes. If the vine | | | | Growing the Vine |
| produces too much fruit not only will it not be able | | | | Over the next couple of years, continue to prune |
| to ripen on the vine, but next year's crop will not | | | | the grape vine to maintain its shape and train the |
| be as bountiful. On the other hand, if you overdo | | | | two main arms along the trellis as they develop. |
| it, you could end up pruning away too much and | | | | You will probably want to tie the main trunk to |
| the vine may end up with more wood than fruit - | | | | the trellis, as well as the two main branches, to |
| which is equally undesirable. The right balance is | | | | ensure they grow in the direction you desire. |
| therefore critical. | | | | Controlling Fruit Production |
| Do Not Prune Your Grape Vines in the First Year | | | | Too much shade created by an abundant canopy |
| The first year of growth the grape vine needs to | | | | of leaves can prevent your grapes from ripening. |
| establish itself, so no pruning is needed. Let the | | | | Prune the leaves during the growing period so |
| stems and leaves grow abundantly and the main | | | | that the clusters of grapes are exposed for |
| upright stem strengthen. During this time the root | | | | ripening. |
| system will be establishing itself. Once the plant is | | | | Your vine branches must produce new canes or |
| dormant (during the Winter) you can select the | | | | spurs every year on which to grow the grapes. It |
| strongest stem, and prune all remaining stems | | | | is important to leave some of the buds growing |
| around the base of the one you have selected to | | | | from year to year, removing the old ones and |
| be the primary stem. Watch the plant during the | | | | controlling the number of new ones that develop. |
| fall and continue to snip away any stems that | | | | You will recognize the new buds by their one or |
| emerge. In a large vineyard, pruning may continue | | | | two leaf joints. Clipping back the new ones will |
| through the dormant period if you have not | | | | encourage more to grow, thus increasing the fruit |
| reached all the plants, and should be completed by | | | | production in the following year. |
| early Spring. | | | | Tools |
| During the second year, the stem will put out | | | | To avoid injuring the plant, using the right tools is |
| arms, which can be trained along a trellis or fence. | | | | important. Typically hand pruners are used for |
| The idea is to let two of the strongest side | | | | delicate clipping jobs, loppers are used for larger |
| stems become the fruit bearing arms of the vine. | | | | stems and handsaws can be used for stronger |
| You can prune all the other stems that shoot out | | | | limbs. |
| from the main trunk during the second year of | | | | Experience Counts |
| growth. Encourage growth from the sides of the | | | | With a little experience pruning your grapes you |
| vine by pinching the top of the main trunk if | | | | will soon get the hang of what to clip and what |
| necessary. While the plant is still growing in the | | | | not to clip. Practice is the best teacher, so just |
| second year, you will be focusing on developing | | | | give it a try and monitor your results to develop |
| the basic frame of the vine, which is a strong | | | | your own successful techniques. |
| stem with two main arms or branches that bear | | | | |