How to Prune Grape Vines for Kansas

Grapevines are charming, productive plants that live long lives and can produce up to 20 lbs of fruit per vine. They require long growing seasons of 100 to 200 days of summer, and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 5 and 6 of Kansas. To succeed, grapevines need the right mix of sun, air, drainage, soil and water, along with a yearly pruning session. Prune your Kansas grapevines based on frost dates, to encourage spring and summer growth and fruiting.

Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Prune grapevines in late winter to early spring, to prevent damage from winter cold. Prune the vines before they wake and begin to grow, as pruning during growth may harm the vines as well. Time your pruning to coincide with the last frost in your area, which may range from late April in Independence to mid-May in Goodland.
- 2
  Prune grapevines the first time after you plant them and before they begin to grow. Cut the plant back to a cane with two to five buds. When these buds grow and produce shoots, choose the healthiest two to four shoots and cut the others off. Tie these shoots to your trellis or arbor, as they will become your grapevines.
- 3
  Trim the two to four vines every season. Cut the tips off to maintain 70 to 100 buds on each vine. These buds produce the flowering stem, which bear both leaves and fruit. Keep the vines shorter allows the plants to put more resources toward fruit production and ripening.
- 4
  Prune away any dead or damaged wood, or shoots, that didn't grow leaves or fruit in the past season.

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