Are you wondering how to prune concord grapevines? All the wine lovers out there would agree when we say that grapes are a godsend. There are about 60 species and over 8,000 varieties of this fleshy fruit.
Although the types of grapes that most people encounter are American, European, and French-American hybrids, another type of grape that’s usually grown in the United States is called Muscadine.
Grapes don’t just give us delicious jams, raisins, juice, and wines, but they also provide us with plenty of health benefits. It contains a lot of nutrients such as vitamins C, K, and B6. Furthermore, grapes are also rich sources of antioxidants that help reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, and other chronic diseases.
Anyone who’s trying to lose weight by sticking to a low-calorie diet should include grapes in their diet. In case you’re not aware, you only get 67 calories from one hundred grams (100g) of grapes.
Facts About Concord Grapes
Concord grapes originate in Concord, MA, hence its name. They are derived from the Vitis labrusca grape species or the fox grape.
In most cases, the concord grape is used to produce juice grapes, as well as table grapes. Although it can also be used for making wine, most wine lovers prefer wine pressed from other grape species that don’t have the same candy-like sweetness as the concord grapes. Due to its excessively sweet flavor, these grapes are also used to make sacramental wine, Kosher wine that is served during Jewish celebrations, delicious grape pies, grape-flavored candy, soft drinks, jams, and jellies.
Tips on How to Prune Concord Grapevines
Pruning your concord grapes is extremely important because this involves the process of removing vines that aren’t needed for the next season’s growth. You can expect to have an abundant harvest of high-quality concord grapes if you don’t prune them properly. If you’re clueless about pruning concord grapevines, check out these tips:
Tip #1: Start planting in the spring
Start planting your grapevines in the early part of spring. Grapevines need a lot of sunlight to flourish, so choose a location where they get the most sunlight.
Keep in mind that canes that are exposed to light will yield the most fruits. Note that fruits are usually produced when the canes are a year old or more.
Tip #2: Prune when the plant is dormant
If it’s your first year in growing grapes, the University of Minnesota Extension advises you to develop a strong root system and straight trunk and to prune grapevines when they are dormant. This is usually done in the late winter or around March.
Furthermore, avoid pruning when there is severe frost to prevent more frost damage. Prune again in the spring when the leaves have fully developed and remove all the weak shoots.
You may also prune in the summer when the vines have yielded fruits while making sure that you leave the shoots with grapes. New growth and leaves that block the light should also be removed to allow the fruit to get enough sunlight that they need.
Tip #3: Cane prune for concord grapevines
There are two techniques in pruning grapevines – spur pruning and cane pruning. Spur pruning produces fruits from the buds that are near the base of the one-year-old canes while cane. Grapes that are usually spur pruned are Blush Seedless, Autumn Royal, New York Muscat, etc.
On the other hand, cane pruned grapevines produce fruits that are at the end of the one-year-old canes. Cane pruning is usually used for American varieties especially concord grapevines. Concord grapevines produce more high-quality fruit when pruned using this method.
If you happen to have old concord grapevines in your backyard, cut out the old wood, trunks, and new canes that grew on the vines, leaving only the healthy canes, wood, and buds that matured from the previous season.
Tip #4: No pruning, poor quality grapes
Remember this: less pruning than you’re supposed to or no pruning at all usually results in fewer or low-quality grapes. When pruning is poorly done, you’ll have nothing but low-quality grapes in small quantities during harvest time.
Advantages of Having Your Own Hobby Greenhouse
If you want to provide your tender plants with a secure and protected environment that shields them from inclement weather and the constant threat of pest infestations, grow them in your very own hobby greenhouse. Unlike traditional outdoor gardening, greenhouse gardening won’t require you to make emergency preparations in order to protect your plants from heavy rains, strong winds, snow, sleet, hail, blizzards, and other harsh weather conditions.
Furthermore, your hobby greenhouse serves as a protective barrier against destructive bugs and vermin that may throw all of your gardening efforts out the window. Lastly, you can easily create an ideal growing environment if you set up a hobby greenhouse because you’ll be able to have more control of the temperature and moisture levels that you expose your plants to.
Try Growing Grapevines in Hobby Greenhouses!
Learning how to prune concord grapevines is an awesome thing, but what’s even more awesome is growing these grapes in a hobby greenhouse in your own backyard! Experience the benefits of having your own personal botanical oasis! Try your hand at greenhouse gardening today!