How to Cluster Thin Grapes

Thin grapevines to one cluster per shoot in early spring.

Healthy grapevines usually produce two to three clusters of grapes per shoot. It is recommended that you thin the clusters to one per shoot. This is called cluster thinning. Cluster-thinning grapes is an effective way to help improve your grapes for both table and wine production. Thin the clusters in the early spring before flowering occurs. Select the healthiest-looking cluster from each shoot to keep. Remove all the clusters on vines that have poor growth.

Things You'll Need

• Garden shears

Instructions

1. Look over your grapevines in the early spring. Inspect each shoot along the vines to identify the number and health of the clusters on each one.

2. Thin out all but the healthiest cluster on each shoot along the grapevines, using garden shears. Clip off the cluster close to the shoot.

3. Prune off all of the clusters from any shoots with poor growth, using garden shears. This will help promote growth on the stronger shoots.

Tips & Warnings

• Maintain your grapevines through regular pruning for healthy vines and abundant crops.

References

• University of California Garden Web: Growing Grapes in Your Backyard -- How Do I Thin Clusters and Berries
• Washington State University Extension; Pruning Grapes in Home Gardens: Some Basic Guidelines; J. King

Resources

• Rist Canyon Vineyards: RCV Tip #7 -- Cluster Thinning