How to Prune Grapevines in the Fall

Tie fruiting canes to the grapevine's wire trellis after pruning.

According to the Texas Winegrape Network, pruning grapevine canes when they're dormant helps them maintain a strong structure and lets you control which canes will produce fruit and how much. Prune grapevines anytime after they shed their leaves in the fall and before their buds sprout in the spring. Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle pointing away from the last bud retained on the cane.

Things You'll Need

• Shears
• String

Instructions

1. Choose one fruiting cane for the following year. Select one close to the trunk head that is firm, has buds to produce enough grapes on one branch, and looks healthy. Ensure that its position on the vine exposes the cane to the sunlight. Mark this cane with a colorful ribbon to avoid cutting it by mistake.

2. Identify the cane that will be the grapevine's renewal spur. This cane should also be close to the trunk head and exposed to the sun. Prune it to two buds.

3. Cut back all remaining canes. Your vine will have both fruiting canes and suckers, or shoots that grow straight from the base of the vine. Prune the fruiting branches to the number of buds you want to keep. Then, remove the suckers and their buds on the base of the grapevine. Trim off the vine's tendrils.

4. Tie the fruiting canes with string to the vine's wire trellis.

Tips & Warnings

• When pruning grapevine, cut through one bud beyond the one you want to retain. The cane will have an enlarged tip that will keep the string from slipping off.

References

• Texas Winegrape Network: Grape Growing

Resources

• Ohio State University Extension: Pruning Backyard Grapevines in the First Three Years