How to Spur Prune Grapevines

Growers usually prune grapes using the cane or spur methods, or some variation thereof. Spur pruning works well for European grape varieties and Muscadines, whether you tie the vine to a single post or to horizontal supports. Spur pruned vines have only one to four buds on each branch, so they're compact and simple to prune. After a new grape vine has grown for three summers, choose a pruning method and begin spur pruning in late winter when the vine is dormant.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Cut off any side branches below the lowest horizontal support or, if you're training the vine to a post, cut off any side branches that are level with the lower one-half or two-thirds of the post. Cut them off with pruning shears close to the trunk, before the first bud.
- 2
  Cut off every new cane that's grown from your main branch, leaving two buds on each one. If the vine has a horizontal support, the main branch will be T-shaped, with the new canes growing up from the horizontal arms of the T. If the vine is trained to a post, it will have only one main branch growing up the post. The short stubs you leave are the spurs.
- 3
  Thin the spurs so they're spaced 4 to 5 inches apart by cutting off any excess spurs close to the main branch so they have no buds left on them.
- 4
  Prune again, once each winter, following the above steps.

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