088: Pruning Q&A with Fritz Westover

Pruning is one of the most influential decisions vineyard owners and operators make each season, and in this solo Q&A episode, Fritz tackles the most common — and most misunderstood — questions he hears in the field. Drawing on hands-on experience, Fritz walks listeners through the practical realities of dormant pruning, why it matters far beyond vine appearance, and how pruning choices directly impact vine balance, yield, and long-term vineyard health.

Throughout the episode, Fritz addresses real-world concerns from growers, including how aggressive pruning should be, what mistakes show up most often in young versus mature vineyards, and how to adapt pruning strategies to site conditions and vine vigor. 

Fritz explains how pruning windows can influence bud burst and frost risk, and why "earlier is always better" isn't necessarily true. He highlights warning signs that a vineyard may be over- or under-pruned and offers guidance for adjusting course before problems compound over multiple seasons.

This episode is particularly valuable for vineyard owners who want to move beyond rote pruning rules and better understand the "why" behind their pruning decisions. By the end, listeners will have clearer expectations for what good pruning should accomplish and how small, intentional changes can pay dividends in vine performance and fruit quality over time.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Pruning decisions directly influence vine balance, yield, and longevity
• Over-pruning and under-pruning both create long-term vineyard challenges
• Timing of pruning can affect bud break and frost exposure
• Vine vigor should guide pruning intensity, not habits or tradition
• Small adjustments made consistently can improve vineyard performance

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Resources:

If you have questions about today's episode or ideas for future episodes, go to VineyardUndergroundPodcast.com and click the Ask Fritz button. 

Free Pruning Events: 

January 15th at 5 PM Central - Cut with Confidence, Not Consequences – Register here: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/product/cut-with-confidence/ 

January 29th at 12:00 PM Central - Snip Happens: Pruning Mistakes and Fixes – Register here: https://www.virtualviticultureacademy.com/product/snip-happens/ 

Episode Sponsor:

Today's episode was brought to you by HydroGeo Environmental and SensorInsight.

Thank you to HydroGeo Environmental for sponsoring today's episode. For over 20 years, Bubba Beasley and his team have helped vineyard growers with site assessments, mapping, soil and groundwater evaluations, and optimal vineyard layouts. Using the latest technology and industry expertise, HydroGeo brings clarity to even the most complex landscapes. Visit HydroGeoEnvironmental.com and mention the Vineyard Underground podcast for a special discount on your service.

Thank you to SensorInsight for sponsoring today's episode. SensorInsight is a leader in vineyard soil moisture and weather monitoring. SensorInsight designs state-of-the-art, remote satellite monitoring of soil moisture and weather, bringing actionable information for your vineyard operations straight to your phone, with real-time data so you can best decide when to turn on your irrigation, how long to run the system, and learn how the dynamics of soil moisture can change over a given season. Visit them today at https://sensorinsight.io. And don't forget to mention the code Underground to receive a discount on your SensorInsight solution.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com. Let them know we sent you.