Grape pruning
When is it better to prune grapes: in autumn or spring. We constantly trimmed it in the spring, but I see my neighbor prunes it in the fall as well. I cut off 1 branch, and the juice is still dripping from it. Is this how it should be or should we not disturb the grapes?
It doesn't really matter when you cut it. In the fall, the juice will not drip, but in the spring it is very active.
In the fall, the grapes begin to prepare for winter, so the transfer of liquid in the vine stops, and in the spring the grapes awaken and there is an intensive transfer of liquid into the sleeves, so experts recommend pruning in the fall.
Pruning grapes in the spring is not recommended for the simple reason that wounds on grapes already have difficulty healing, and if you cut the vine at the very beginning of sap flow, “tears” will appear on it. As a result, you will not only not get a good harvest, but you may also destroy the plant.
Recommended: wait as long as possible in the fall without covering the shoots for lignification (up to -4-5
deg.) and make trimming. Then cover it. This year I pruned at the beginning of November.
It is recommended to prune the shoots of young grapes in the spring.
Of course, the grapevine needs to be pruned in the fall, but if the winter is harsh, then some of the buds may freeze. Therefore, for regions with a more severe climate, I think it would be better to prune grapes in the spring.