Still time to prune grapes

Whether in a greenhouse, polytunnel or outside, grape vines must be pruned in winter when they’re dormant. If pruned too late, the cuts will ‘bleed’ sap, reducing the vigour of the plants. Whatever the training system or shape, winter pruning of grapes always involves cu ing back the previous year’s growth to just one or two buds. These buds will grow into new shoots that will produce the flowers in summer and fruit in autumn. In this way the mature grapevine doesn’t get any bigger every year, being cut back to the permanent rods every winter.