Pruning grapevines: when and how, by type or situation
By the GardenWorld editorial team, updated on
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You prune grapevines during winter dormancy, from January to March, before the buds break. Cut all last year's side shoots back to two buds, about 10 to 15 cm (on a trellis leave two to three), and keep only the permanent framework: the trunk with its arms or main stems. The grape bears on last year's wood, so those short pieces with two buds will produce this year's new shoots with bunches. In June and July a summer pruning follows: you cut the new shoots back to two leaves beyond the bunch. What the framework looks like depends on the system: trellis, cordon, Guyot or pergola.
Pruning grapevines by type and situation
| Type or situation | When | How hard | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grape on a trellis, winter pruning | January and February | Side shoots from last year back to 2 to 3 buds | Grapevines on a trellis |
| Building a trellis in V-shape | Year 1 and 2, tip in July and August | Tie two shoots at an angle; tip about 30 cm above the tie | Grapevines on a trellis |
| Cordon with horizontal arms | March; trunk in September of year 1 | Trunk to about 50 cm; side shoots on the arms to two buds | Grape on trellis as cordon |
| Guyot system | March | Old fruiting arms off, tie two new arms down, the rest to two buds | Grape in Guyot system |
| Grape on a pergola | March, before buds break | Keep two to four main stems, side shoots to two buds (10 to 15 cm) | Grape around a pergola |
| Summer pruning and thinning bunches | Tip in June and July, thin in July and August | Shoots to two leaves beyond the bunch; one bunch per side shoot | Grape around a pergola |
| Ornamental vine (Vitis coignetiae) | March | Keep two to three main stems, side shoots to two buds (5 to 10 cm) | Pruning Vitis coignetiae |
Winter pruning: the main work
The grape grows metres every year and without pruning becomes a tangle of wood and leaf with few and small grapes. Winter pruning brings it back to its framework. On a trellis this happens in January and February, as in pruning grapevines on a trellis; the guides on cordon, Guyot and pergola set the turn in March. What matters is that you finish before the buds break: prune later and sap will run from the wounds.
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Trellis and cordon
On a trellis you train the grape flat against wires or slats, so all shoots get sun and air. In grapevines on a trellis you build a V-shape over two years. The cordon is stricter: a trunk of about 50 cm with two horizontal arms, on which you cut all side shoots back to two buds every year. How to gradually tie the arms horizontal without breaking them is explained in grape on trellis as cordon.
Guyot and pergola
With the Guyot system you replace the fruiting arms every year: the old arms come off and you tie two new shoots down in an arc, with a short reserve piece for the year after. That rhythm is described in grape in Guyot system. On a pergola you keep two to four main stems, evenly distributed around the post, and cut all side shoots back to two buds, see grape around a pergola. The ornamental vine Vitis coignetiae, which you plant for its large leaves and autumn colour, is pruned the same way, see pruning Vitis coignetiae. If you are still wondering where a grape fits in your garden, against a sunny wall or over a pergola, try it out in a garden design of your own garden.
Step-by-step plan
Step 1: Choose a dry day during winter dormancy
Prune from January to March, when it is not freezing and before the buds begin to swell.
Step 2: Find the permanent framework
Determine which parts remain: the trunk and the arms or main stems. Everything that grew on them last year will be shortened.
Step 3: Cut the side shoots back to two buds
Cut each side shoot from last year back to two buds, about 10 to 15 cm; on a trellis leave two to three buds. Cut a few centimetres above the top bud.
Step 4: Remove dead and surplus wood
Remove dead branches, stems that no longer bear fruit and shoots that grow out of shape. With Guyot the old fruiting arms also come off now.
Step 5: Tie the arms and stems
Tie the arms or new fruiting arms to the wires or pergola with soft tying material. Check in May that the ties are not cutting into the wood.
Step 6: Cut back in summer and thin the bunches
In June and July cut the new shoots back to two leaves beyond the bunch. In July and August thin out the bunches and leave one bunch per side shoot. This brings sun to the grapes and makes them larger and sweeter.
The last good moment
Winter pruning must be finished before the buds break, usually in March. Prune later in spring and the vine bleeds: sap runs from the wounds. In autumn you do not prune heavily, because then frost gets hold of the fresh wounds. If you are too late, limit yourself to summer pruning and do the major work the following winter.
Rejuvenating: how far can you cut back?
A neglected grape can be cut right back in winter to about 30 cm above the ground. It shoots out again quickly, but you then miss two to three seasons of fruit. Then choose the strongest shoot as the new trunk and rebuild the framework, as trellis, cordon, Guyot or along the pergola.
Can you prune wrongly? The most common mistakes
Yes. The three mistakes made most often: too little pruning, causing the vine to become a dense tangle with lots of leaf and small grapes, pruning too late in spring, causing the vine to bleed, and leaving too many bunches, causing the grapes to remain small and sour. Leave about one bunch per side shoot.
Frequently asked questions
In which month should you prune grapevines?
The main pruning is done during winter dormancy, from January to March, before the buds break. In June and July a summer pruning follows when you cut back the new shoots. When the grapes ripen, you only remove some leaf or an overgrown shoot, so the sun falls on the bunches.
What is the last moment to prune a grape?
Winter pruning must be finished before the buds break, usually in March. Prune later in spring and sap will run from the wounds. Heavy pruning in autumn is also best avoided; wait after harvest until winter.
How far back can you prune a grape?
With annual pruning all side shoots go back to two buds, about 10 to 15 cm, or two to three buds on a trellis; that is hard, but normal for a grape. A neglected vine can be cut right back to about 30 cm above the ground. It grows back quickly, but you then miss two to three seasons of fruit.
Can you prune a grape wrongly?
Yes. Too little pruning gives a dense tangle with lots of leaf and small, sour grapes. Pruning too late in spring makes the vine bleed and pruning in autumn gives risk of frost damage. Leaving too many bunches also costs flavour and size.
What can a grape not tolerate?
A grape tolerates shade poorly: it needs at least six hours of sun per day to make sweet grapes. Dense, moist foliage without air circulation causes mildew and rot, see mildew on grapes. Young arms can freeze in a severe winter.
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