Should Grapevines Be Cut Back?

Grapevines are normally considered to be mature and fully productive in year three. Dormant pruning should be completed starting in late February through March. One-year-old wood (the previous summer's growth) should be pruned back to three to five nodes per spur. The spurs should be evenly spaced along the cordon.

When should grapevines be pruned?

Grapes are best pruned in spring (February/March, or even as late as early April) because if pruned too early a hard frost in late winter can damage the canes and buds.

Should you trim grape vines every year?

Because of the way grapevines grow and produce fruit, growers must prune annually. Fruit is only produced on shoots growing from one-year-old canes. Therefore, healthy new canes must be produced every year to maintain annual production of fruit.