Trimming Your Backyard Grapevines During the Initial Three Years
In the world of viticulture, maintaining a healthy and productive grapevine is crucial for high-quality grape production. Here's a comprehensive guide to pruning grapevines in their second, third, and subsequent years, focusing on maintaining vine structure for fruit production.
Second Year
Upon entering the second year, the vine should be trained on the trellis if it hasn't been done in the first year. Secure the trunk and tie canes to support wires. Cut the trunk just above the top wire and train two canes to the wire on each side of the trunk.
Third Year and Subsequent Years
During the dormant season, typically in late winter or early spring, prune to remove about 90% of the previous year's growth. This helps the vine focus energy on fruit quality. Retain one- or two-bud spurs (short canes) on each arm or cordon. Mature vines typically have a trunk, two arms, and 8-10 spurs per arm, depending on vine vigor.
Remove older fruiting canes from the previous year except for the short spurs that will produce next year’s crop. The choice between spur pruning (cutting back canes to 2-3 buds) and cane pruning (leaving longer fruiting canes, about 8 buds long) depends on the grape variety and training system.
Leaving some renewal spurs—one-node spurs—to produce new fruiting canes for future years maintains vine vigor. During the growing season, remove any excess growth or shading shoots to keep an open canopy, allowing sunlight penetration and air circulation to improve fruit quality.
Typical Pruning Methods
| Year | Pruning Practice | Details | |----------------|-----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | Second Year | Training and initial pruning | Train vines on trellis, secure trunk, tie and prune canes | | Third Year+ | Mature vine pruning and maintenance | Remove 90% growth, keep 1-2 bud spurs on cordons, remove old wood, leave renewal spurs |
Timing
Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before bud break.
This pruning strategy promotes strong vine structure, balances fruit load, and ensures high-quality grape production year after year. Aggressive pruning is necessary to avoid excessive vegetative growth that reduces fruitfulness.
[1] Grapevine Pruning Basics. (n.d.). University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. Retrieved from https://www.canr.ucdavis.edu/sites/default/files/legacy_files/files/Grapevine%20Pruning%20Basics.pdf
[2] Pruning Grapevines. (n.d.). Cornell University Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://extension.psu.edu/pruning-grapevines
[3] Pruning Grapevines. (n.d.). Michigan State University Extension. Retrieved from https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/pruning_grapevines
[4] Pruning Grapevines. (n.d.). University of Missouri Extension. Retrieved from https://extension2.missouri.edu/g1377
[5] Pruning Grapevines. (n.d.). Virginia Cooperative Extension. Retrieved from https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/426/426-056/426-056.html
