When to Cut Down Grapevines
Grapevines have simple needs--sun, water and a good trim after the warm season. Most varieties can be pruned around the same time of year. Only the geographical area dictates the difference due to the season and the weather. Southern grapes can wait until early spring to be thinned out and pruned while the Northern varieties can be pruned earlier because the colder environment puts the plant into the dormant state earlier in the season. It is important to prune a dormant plant so new growth isn't stimulated too soon. There may come a day when a plant needs to be removed entirely due to disease. This is an infrequent but sometimes necessary chore. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pruning shears
- Garden gloves
- Dormant vine
- Treatment resistant grapevine
- Non-productive grapevine
Instructions
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Cut down a grapevine when the plant does not produce fruit. After two or three years of no fruiting, the plant is probably not going to produce. Getting rid of it frees up space to plant another vine or to keep the sterile vine from overgrowing and taking over the area.
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Prune a producing grapevine after the growing season is over so as not to stimulate new growth. Leave several inches of this year's growth with buds to insure grape production for the next season. Sometimes very cold weather can injure a severely pruned vine so waiting until early spring is an option.
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Remove a grapevine if it shows signs of disease or dying that does not respond to treatment. This will protect any other vines growing nearby and will help get rid of the disease causing the problem.
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Trim the outer, smaller vines first to make room for the larger pruning tools to reach the larger vines. A tool called a lopper will cut through vines and limbs up to 1 inch around. You may need a larger tool or saw to cut through older, larger vines.
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Cut down a grapevine when it is interfering with other plants or vines. If one becomes overgrown for a long period of time, it may be impossible to reign it in and control the growth pattern without killing the plant. An overgrown grapevine can and will grow up trees and choke them out if left alone.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure your pruners or loppers are clean and sharp.
Always wear protective gloves and eyewear when pruning or cutting wood.
If the plant is salvagable, make sure to leave several inches of growth to assure fruiting on next season's growth.
Dispose of diseased wood in large garbage bags. Don't use it as mulch or burn it, because you may spread the disease to other plants.
Resources
- Photo Credit Lesa Brooks
