How to Prune Zinfandel Grapevines

Zinfandel grapevines can produce a fresh supply of the sweet fruits each year for your family, but these vines need careful maintenance and are not common in home gardens since they require a higher level of care than other species. Pruning is one of the most important aspects of growing these grapes. Zinfandel vines that grow unchecked become unsightly, twisted and crowded, which can hurt grape production. To avoid these problems, start pruning early to keep the vines healthy.

Pruning shears or loppers

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect your grapevines in late winter or early spring when the plants are still dormant. Always prune during this dormant season in cold weather to prevent infection and severe damage to the vines. Pruning at this time encourages fresh growth in the upcoming growing season.
- 2
  Identify growth produced since the previous spring. Each grapevine grows a few feet each year, and it is this new growth that you want to trim.
- 3
  Remove enough of the new wood so that only three to five nodes remain on the branch. If you want the cane to produce new vine in the spring, you can cut it back to only one node. This node will produce only vine, not fruit; canes with three to five nodes remaining will produce fruit.
- 4
  Cut away any damaged areas of your grapevine as well, to prevent infection or insect infestation in the coming year.
- 5
  Repeat this pruning procedure every year; you will generally remove at least 85 percent of growth from the previous growing season. This keeps the vine to a reasonable size and shape while still allowing for high grape production.

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