Questions & Answers: Pruning Grapes
I just received three Muscat of Alexandria bare-root grapes. They are planted, watered, well mulched. Do I have to prune them back? Since it is January, they will have a great root system by spring.
Everything I have says to prune them back to three buds, but I thought with the timing I might leave them as is and get a few sample grapes the first year.
Please advise.
Many Thanks
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Our instructions also say to prune back to two or three buds, and I think the timing is good for pruning. The benefit of pruning soon after planting is that it will encourage the roots to start growing. Grapes are vigorous growers, so they really need their root systems stimulated in order to keep up with the vine growth.
Hope that helps and thank you for growing organically!
Amber
Tags: Amber, customer questions, grapes, planting, Pruning, questions & answers, root growth, spring, vigorous, winter
