Pruning grape vines

Pruning grapes in winter will ensure better fruit production next year, says Amateur Gardening’s Michelle Wheeler

I WAS trained to prune grapes only when you are in a bad mood; you will then take the right amount off. Grapes need a hard prune in winter to produce stems that will crop heavily the next year.
Grape pruning seems difficult in theory, but as long as you adopt the right pruning method to the training system you use, it’s simple in practice.
All grape vines need support to grow, and how you do this will give you an idea of how to prune them. The rod and spur pruning system is used for grapes grown inside or against walls. The Guyot system trains stems along wires and is used commonly in vineyards, but works just as well for the home gardener. Pot-grown grapes, which are ideal for small gardens, are best pruned and trained as standards.
The next aspect is to understand that what, and how much, is pruned will vary depending on the age of the vine. When buying a vine ask how it has been trained and how old it is, to give you an idea of how to proceed with further pruning. The guide below is just for winter pruning (to encourage plenty of fruiting stems), and differs from the summer, which is all about training, pinching out and thinning fruit for fewer bunches, but larger grapes. So read on, wait until you’re in a mood, then carry out the relevant method!

TOP TIP
Before pruning, make sure your secateurs are sharp and clean to prevent diseases entering cuts

Different pruning methods

Rod and spur system

IF IN its first year, prune out two thirds of the trunk (the rod) and cut the side branches (spurs) to a strong bud.
IN YEAR two, prune the main stem back by half, to a bud on mature wood. Side shoots can be cut back to two strong buds.
IN YEAR three and onwards, cut side branches back to two healthy buds, this is best done in January.

Double Guyot system

YOU SHOULD have three stems that grew over summer. Tie one left and one right onto the bottom wire of your support system. Prune the third, upright stem to just three buds. These buds will be the replacement stems for the following year.
IN YEAR three prune out horizontal stems that have fruited, tie new shoots to wire and cut back to about 2-3ft (60-90cm) . Prune the central shoot back to three buds to start the process again.

Grapes as a standard

IN THE first two years allow the side branches to grow from the main stem.
PRUNE OUT all side branches from the bottom of the main stem, leaving the top branches. Aim to leave six branches at the top for a good canopy.
THREE YEARS and onwards, prune side branches back to healthy buds to maintain the shape.