- 1). Do not trim or prune the grape vine during its first year of growth. If it is allowed to grow wild the first year, it will establish a strong, healthy system.
- 2). Find the thickest or strongest stem during the winter of the first year of the grape vine. This is the trunk of the grape vine. With the pruning shears, carefully trim all the stems that are growing by the base of the trunk and winding up the trunk. Also trim those that are growing wildly out from the trunk. You are technically trimming everything away but the main trunk. Use a stake to support it if necessary when done pruning.
- 3). Prune all side stems and vines during the second year's spring season, except for the two strongest ones on either side of the trunk. Pinch the top of the grape vine to encourage side growth at this time.
- 4). Prune the top of the grape vine's trunk during the second year's summer to encourage fruit production. Weed out weaker stems that are twirling up the side stems or crawling along the ground so they don't suck nutrients from the main stems that will produce the fruit.
- 5). Prune and shape the grapevine during the third spring and summer to keep the basic framework of the grape vine, using the shears or scissors.
- 6). Leave 12 buds along each of the arms when you prune during the third winter. This is important because these buds will produce fruit the next summer. Continue doing this each winter, making sure there are 12 renewal buds on the stems to ensure fruit development the following summer season.
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