That's a grapevine?????!!!!!!

[carrot-cruncher]

I moved into a new house several months ago and the previous owners had planted two grapevines at sometime in the past.   The grapes are a black seeded variety, possibly Boskoop Glory.   However, I don't think the vines have ever had a pruning and I don't know where to start.

The vines have been allowed to ramble all over the place and my backyard resembles a mini jungle.  I want the vines trained to an espalier to make maintenance easier & to increase the crop.

Has anybody any suggestions on how to start the pruning, or when to prune the vines.   Pictures would also be helpful.

cc

[carrot-cruncher]

[cambourne7]

try this

http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles1100/grape_pruning.asp

[saddad]

I would start by hacking out most of it!
;D

[artichoke]

I agree with saddad. I inherited a black grape once which had spread all over a large area of garden, rerooted where it touched the ground and formed a dense thicket.

I hacked and dug, and dug and hacked back to what I chose as two or three basic rooted shoots, and started again. I got quite a restrained little set of shoots growing up (backed up by deep strong roots) and the grapes were transformed.

I inherited a rambling white grape here which I have encouraged over a pergola and up and down neighbours fence (they like that) but I have also recently taken cuttings to grow in a more restrained way - no result yet apart from short shoots.

Strangely, this year, the grapes were the sweetest ever in 8 years.

[teresa]

Try this site as well sorry no pic's

http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Grape/Grapes.htm