How to prune muscadine grape

Late winter (January–February) while dormant. Establish a T-trellis or single-wire system. Once the main cordons are in place, cut all laterals back to spurs of 2–4 buds each winter. Space spurs 15–20 cm apart along the cordon. In summer, thin dense canopy growth to improve sunlight penetration and reduce disease pressure.

Annually. Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) are spur-pruned on a bilateral cordon — the permanent arms are established in years 1–3, then each lateral is shortened to 2–4 buds every winter. Muscadines are vigorous and will rapidly overgrow a trellis without firm annual pruning, reducing fruit quality and airflow.

Establish a T-trellis or single-wire system. Once the main cordons are in place, cut all laterals back to spurs of 2–4 buds each winter. Space spurs 15–20 cm apart along the cordon. In summer, thin dense canopy growth to improve sunlight penetration and reduce disease pressure.