MTSU invites public to 5 upcoming Saturday grapevine pruning sessions

For those wanting to volunteer or to learn about how to prune grapevines, there will be opportunities to join MTSU’s Tony Johnston and others for the next five Saturdays at the Rutherford County UT Extension at Lane Agri-Park, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., in Murfreesboro.

The pruning will take place from 9:30 until 11 a.m. Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16 and Feb. 23, said Johnston, professor in the MTSU School of Agriculture and director of the two-year-old fermentation science program.

Annual pruning is necessary to manage vine growth and maximize yields and fruit quality, Johnston said, adding he will be at the Jan. 26 session and as many of the others as possible.

Johnston said participants should dress appropriately for the outdoor weather conditions, and to wear gloves and bring clippers and a tarp.

“There will be instruction on how to prune, why pruning is necessary and how to improve your home vineyard,” Johnston said.

For more information, contact Lisa Brent, president of the Rutherford County Master Gardeners, at 615-663-9744 or email lisabrent124@gmail.com.

MTSU has more than 300 combined undergraduate and graduate programs.