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Published: 12 January 2018 12 January 2018

gill giese grapevines rsGill Giese, New Mexico State University Extension viticulture specialist, will be conducting grapevine pruning workshops in Las Cruces on Saturday, Jan. 27, and Belen, Saturday, Feb. 3.
(NMSU photo by Kristie Garcia)
WRITER: Jane Moorman, 505-249-0527, jmoorman@nmsu.edu

The techniques used to prune grapevines in a commercial setting can optimize the yield and berry composition of the plants.

New Mexico State University's College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences is hosting two workshops to address tools and techniques of grapevine pruning.

Gill Giese, NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service viticulture specialist, will answer the question "why prune grapevines" as well as discuss the impact of pruning on vine growth, yield and berry composition.

"We will be discussing when, how and why to use cane versus spur pruning," Giese said. "Which method is best suited to individual varieties and New Mexico's climate. Also how timing of pruning can mitigate spring frost damage."

Participants will have an opportunity for hands-on practice by pruning in the vineyard.

The free workshop will be from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, Jan. 27, at the Fabian Garcia Agricultural Science Center in Las Cruces, 113 W. University Ave., and Saturday, Feb. 3, at Jaramillo Vineyard in Belen, 300 Cam Nopales.

There are limited openings for each session. Participants must RSVP. Contact Daniel Goodrich, goodrich@nmsu.edu, 505-929-3942, for the Jan. 27 workshop, or Gill Giese, ggiese@nmsu.edu, 505-865-7340, to register.