When to prune muscadine grapes has long been a mystery to vineyard owners and winemakers alike. There is a delicate balance between grapevine health and the long-term viability of each grape type. Just as with any other plant, the vine needs nutrients, water, and sunlight in order to thrive. In order to get those three components, the vine needs an adequate amount of space and nutrients. Too little space and not enough nutrients can lead to a lack of production and harvest, so it’s important to know when to prune the vines.
One of the most common questions asked about grape growing is when to harvest a grapevine. Although all grapevines should be harvested at least once each year, there are several varietal types that have significant differences in when they should be harvested. Muscadine grapes typically peak in production during May and June. Riesling grapes, on the other hand, peak in production around late winter or early spring. These are the types of grapes most commonly marketed as table grape.
When to prune muscadine grapes to improve their yield is not an easy question to answer. Each variety of this grape variety performs in different ways. For example, while Riesling grapes tend to be firm and compact, they also produce small, dark berries. On the other hand, Muscadine grapes tend to be firm and compact, but are known for producing large, sweet berries. Therefore, determining when to prune muscadine grapes based on their production patterns can be difficult.
Another question frequently asked about grape growing and pruning is when to remove the grapevines. Although some varieties of this vine do extremely well when removed after the harvest period, others are more prone to disease when removed during the active growing season. Therefore, when to prune muscadine grapes is a highly variable question.
One way to decide when to remove grapevines from your vineyard is by consulting with your local Extension office. These experts have very detailed knowledge of vineyards throughout the state and the types of vineyards that will best suit each particular grape. Local extension offices also are a great source for advice on pruning selections, grape variety selections and diseases of specific grapevines.
When to prune grapes based on when they are picked depends largely on the maturity of the grapes themselves. If the grapes are not maturing before the appropriate time they should not be pruned. Grapes that are mature are typically thick with a deep, lush head of purple skin and large, dark green branches. Maturing grapes do not decrease the quality of the grapes they produce; in fact, some varieties of this grape have become quite rarer because they have become so popular. They can still be found fairly easily and there is always the potential for a harvest of several pounds.
Pruning should be done as soon as the grape has flowered or begun to show signs of infection. It should be done before the grape vines begin to flower. As far as when to prune muscadine grapes goes, it is largely contingent on the season. Grapes that are grown in the spring and summer months will need to be cut earlier in the year, before the grapevines are at their peak of production. In the fall and winter months, the grapes will need to be cut slightly earlier to allow for the sugars to break down before the next year’s harvest.
Although some grapevines do not like being pruned, most will tolerate it very well and actually enjoy it. The main consideration when to prune muscadine grapes is to do it before the grapevines begin to branch. This allows for a healthy and robust harvest next year. Pruning can also be done later in the season, after the grapevines have flowered or are almost finished blooming. This is typically done in the late winter or early spring, before the grapevines are placed into storage.
