How to Prune Your Grape Vine Stock

Grapevine stock requires annual pruning to keep the grapevine alive and producing grapes. Using simple garden pruners, cutting back the spurs on the grapevines will improve the health and yield of the grapes. Growers prune grapevines during their dormant season, usually in the late winter before the vines begin to bud.

Garden pruning shears
Spray bottle
Bleach
String or plant tape
Gloves

Instructions

- 1
  Mix 1 tsp. of household bleach into a spray bottle filled with water. As you prune the grape stock, spray the pruning shears often. This will prevent bacteria transfer and fungus from infecting the cut stems.
- 2
  Cut out any dead canes from the plant first. This will allow you to choose which canes to keep for the next season.
- 3
  Prune the remaining canes to remove all but the four healthiest canes on the plant. Tie these to the trellis system if they are not already in place.
- 4
  Cut the primary canes, the ones tied to the trellis, back in length toward the trunk until only two spurs and no more than 15 branching buds remain on each primary cane.
- 5
  Continue to prune any remaining grape stock in the same manner. Always make cuts at a 45-degree angle and never allow more than 80 bud nodes to remain on any single plant.

Process of Pruning Grapes

When to Plant Concord Grapes

Growing Grapes