How to Visually Trim Grape Vines

Grapevines growing in the home garden require visual examination throughout the growing process to verify the canes are growing strong. Visually inspecting and trimming the canes increases vine stability and fruit production when completed properly. Choose to prune and trim the grapevines while they are in the dormant stage to limit the chance of introducing disease into the plant. The only exception to this rule is trimming sucker growth that depletes plant energy for fruit production.

Pruning clippers

Instructions

- 1
  Inspect the grapevine canes after planting and cut one-year-old canes to a length where two to three buds remain to promote strong growth.
- 2
  Examine young grapevines to find the strongest one or two canes and prune off all remaining weak canes. Train the strong canes to attach and grow along the support structure.
- 3
  Measure the cane growth after the first growing season and prune canes that have not reached a desired height and attached themselves to the support trellis. Trim to a length where two to three buds remain. This will restart the growing process for the next season.
- 4
  Inspect the grapevines in the second growing season. Prune canes growing laterally off one-year-old canes to the length where a single bud remains. Remove canes growing in clusters so one to two canes remain.
- 5
  Examine the canes throughout the growing season for the presence of sucker stems growing off the rootstock and around the base of the grapevine. Remove this growth as it appears to direct the vine energy toward fruit production.

Types of Texas Grapevines

How to Care for Old Grapevines

Growing Grapes