How to Prune Grape Vines in the Summer

The ideal time to prune grape vines is in late winter; pruned vines are more susceptible to frost damage when pruning is done in the early winter months. Pruning after early spring is usually not done because gardeners risk removing new buds that will form into grape clusters. However, if the grape vine exhibits abundant growth, or if the vine has never been pruned, a mild pruning in the summer months can be beneficial to the vine and encourage additional fruit development.

Pruning shears
Rooting hormone
Potting soil
Water
Plant pot
Plastic sandwich bag
Step stool
Ladder

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the grape vine to determine if the length of each vine shoot is greater than 3 feet long. Vines that are less than 3 feet long should not be pruned.
- 2
  Determine which shoots you will cut off by looking for small buds along each vine. The purpose of pruning off vines in summer is to promote fruit production while managing the growth of the vine. Do not cut off vines that have many buds, as these will soon produce grape clusters.
- 3
  Hold the end of one vine in your hand and trace it backward until you reach the main trunk of the grape vine, or the location where the vine veers off from another branch.
- 4
  Cut off the vine using sharp pruning shears no less than 3 feet from the base of the vine. Be careful not to cut into the main trunk of the grape vine or other branches as this can introduce diseases to the vine.
- 5
  Continue pruning in this manner until all of the desired vines are removed. It's a good idea not to remove more than 30 percent of the grape vines during summer.

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