America’s Largest Direct-to-You Nursery 
G There are two sets of roots on most Grape 
r apes vines. These roots can be trimmed, leaving 
10 to 12 inches in length. Do not plant so the roots 
hang straight down, but spread them out as shown 
in illustration. The proper depth is to plant so the 
second bud of the top is at the ground level, then 
leave another bud and cut off the rest of the top. In 
other words, you leave two buds above the ground 
and cut off the balance. There will be no pruning 
the first summer. The following spring it will be 
necessary to put up posts and wires, using a number 
ten wire. Put the first wire about 30 to 36 inches 
from the ground and the second about 24 inches above 
the first one. The best young cane is brought up and 
tied to the wires, all other canes being removed. 
Then the next spring (the 
third year) leave four canes, 
extending two on each wire, . 
as shown in illustration. 
These four canes furnish the 
framework from which the 
fruiting wood will be pro- 
duced each year. When re- 
moving the canes, always 
leave little spurs as shown 
in illustration (A). From 
these little spurs will come 
the new canes for next sea- 
son’s fruiting and the old 
cane will be cut off the win- 
ter after it has borne fruit. 
a — a 
g 


Grapes should be pruned in February, selecting a 
day when the weather is not too cold. Leave fifty 
to sixty buds to a plant. Remember that the fruit 
from the grapes is produced from the canes of the 
previous season’s growth. 
H d i As shown in the illustration, dig a trench 
ié g ng 10 inches wide with one side even and 
straight. Set the plants against the straight side. 
Most plants should be set 12 inches apart. How- 
ever, if you plant Spirea Van Houtte (Bridal Wreath) 
and want a tall, natural, untrimmed hedge, then set 
them 2 to 3 feet apart. After you have finished set- 
ting the hedge, then cut back the tops to 4 to 6 
inches of the ground level. 
When new growth starts and is about 1 to 2 inches 
long, nip off just the end of the new growth with a 
sharp knife, which causes it to branch. Do this sev- 
eral times and you will have a hedge bushy from the 
ground up. 

