Tag: grape growing for beginners

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Grapevine Tendrils and Lateral Shoots: Remove, Pinch or Leave?

Grapevine Tendrils and Lateral Shoots: Remove, Pinch or Leave?

Should you remove grapevine tendrils and lateral shoots in summer? The answer depends on the condition of the vine, how dense the canopy is, the grape variety and the strength of growth.

Lateral shoots are not always useless growth. They can support the vine and help feed the plant, but if the canopy becomes too crowded, they may reduce airflow, shade the fruiting zone and increase the risk of grapevine diseases.

Should You Remove Grapevine Tendrils?

Grapevine tendrils can be removed when they interfere with tying, canopy management or the position of shoots. The main goal is not to remove everything automatically, but to keep the vine organized and easy to care for.

What to Do With Lateral Shoots

In many cases, grapevine lateral shoots are pinched back to one or two leaves. This helps reduce excessive growth while still keeping some leaf area for the plant.

Large lateral shoots may need to be removed completely if they make the vine too dense, block airflow or create shade inside the canopy.

Why Grapevines Produce Too Many Lateral Shoots

Some varieties naturally produce more lateral shoots than others. Strong growth can also be caused by excess nitrogen, heavy feeding or an unbalanced vine.

That is why summer grapevine care should be based on observation, not one fixed rule for every plant.

How This Helps the Vine

Correct work with tendrils and lateral shoots can improve light, airflow and the overall health of the grapevine. It can also help reduce disease pressure and make the vine easier to manage later in the season.

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How to Tie Grapevines After Winter: Common Cane Tying Mistakes

How to Tie Grapevines After Winter: Common Cane Tying Mistakes

How to tie grapevines after winter correctly? Early-season grapevine tying is an important step in spring vineyard care. Correct positioning of the canes helps young shoots grow vertically, improves airflow and makes the vine easier to manage during the season.

This video focuses on tying grape canes and permanent arms after uncovering or lifting the vine from the ground. It is different from tying green grape shoots later in the growing season.

Why Should Fruiting Canes Be Tied Parallel to the Ground?

One of the main rules is to position fruiting canes parallel to the ground. This helps young shoots grow vertically and makes it easier to distribute growth evenly along the trellis.

The video shows a practical example of tying a four-arm fan-trained grapevine.

What Should You Use to Tie Grapevines?

Use a soft and flexible material that does not cut into the cane. A suitable tape or strip of film is often safer than regular string or rope.

The tie should hold the vine securely without damaging the plant.

Common Mistakes When Tying Grape Canes

Beginners often make several avoidable mistakes:

  • positioning the cane incorrectly;
  • tying the vine too tightly;
  • using hard string that may damage the cane;
  • placing all canes in one plane;
  • rushing to tie grapevines immediately after uncovering them.

If return frosts are still possible, it may be better not to rush. The timing should match your local weather conditions.

Why Use Different Levels on the Trellis?

Positioning canes in different levels or planes can improve airflow and make seasonal grapevine care easier. A well-organized vine receives more light and is less likely to become overcrowded.

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How to Plant Grapevines: Best Location, Soil and Planting Method

How to Plant Grapevines: Best Location, Soil and Planting Method

How to plant grapevines correctly? Choosing the best location, preparing the soil and selecting a suitable planting method are important first steps toward growing healthy vines and creating a productive home vineyard.

In this practical video, you will see how the planting location can affect grapevine growth. We compare a vine growing beside the south-facing side of a building with a grapevine planted in an open area. The difference in shoot development is easy to notice.

Where Is the Best Place to Plant Grapevines?

A sunny location with enough space for future growth is important when planting grapes. Before choosing the site, consider sunlight, airflow, the future size of the mature vine and the position of the trellis or support system.

How Soil Affects the Planting Method

The best grapevine planting method depends on your soil. In some gardens, a standard planting hole is sufficient. In other conditions, additional preparation, drainage or a deep-watering pipe for root-zone irrigation may be useful.

The video explains why the method should be adapted to your property instead of following the same complicated planting scheme in every garden.

Common Grapevine Planting Mistakes

Beginners often make avoidable mistakes: choosing a poorly lit location, ignoring soil conditions, forgetting to plan the trellis or using a planting method that is unnecessarily complex.

It is easier to plan the site carefully before planting than to correct major problems later.

Practical Grapevine Planting Guide

The video briefly covers the main planting principles. A more detailed practical guide is available on the website.

The guide includes recommendations on choosing the best location, preparing the planting hole, adapting the method to different soil types and avoiding common mistakes.

The book is available in three language versions.

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