– Grape vines require regular maintenance pruning both in vineyards and home gardens to sustain their vitality and fruit yield. The ideal time for this pruning is mid-March, and it should be completed by the end of the month.
– Prune on a frost-free, dry day to prevent damage to the plant. The annual pruning should align with the specific training method of the vine.
– Grape vines thrive in mild, protected locations, preferring sunny spots like south-facing walls. A nutrient-rich, deep soil is essential for robust growth; avoid wet or compacted soils as they hinder development and negatively affect yield.
– When planting grape vines, maintain a spacing of 1.20 meters for stake vines and 1.50 to 1.80 meters between rows. For trellised varieties, spacing depends on the trellis design.
– The best planting time is from late March to early April, but potted vines can be planted year-round if the soil is not frozen. Ensure to loosen the soil well, amend heavy soils with compost and sand, and plant the root ball in rich, loamy soil with the grafting point above the surface.
– Newly planted vines require “training.” Immediately after planting in March, prune back to one main shoot, shortening it to three buds, ensuring a 1 cm distance above a bud to prevent drying out.
– In the first years, focus on shaping the vine to create a strong trunk, known as stock development. Limit growth to 50-60 cm of the previous year’s shoots. Remove all side shoots to direct energy into thickening the main stem.
– For trellis training (cordon), cut the main shoot to three buds, allowing lateral growth. In subsequent years, focus on the one-year-old fruit shoots, cutting them back to two buds while maintaining older canes for stability.
– For pole training, allow one new shoot to grow tall, cutting it back to 50-60 cm in March to prevent it from becoming spindly. Cut back additional shoots each year to ensure strong growth with six to eight buds in total.
– Throughout the growing season, remove any non-fruit-bearing shoots and side shoots. By May to June, pin down shoots longer than 30 cm and pinch them back above the sixth to eighth leaf for optimal fruiting.
– In April, apply an organic slow-release fertilizer and mulch with leaves or compost to retain moisture and nutrients for the young vines.
– Newly planted vines may be frost-sensitive. Consider providing winter protection with leaves, fir branches, fabric, or burlap for the first few years to help them survive harsh conditions.
Happy grape growing, and may your vines produce delicious fruit! 🍇🌿
rsiuut