Propagating Muscadine & Scuppernong Vines: The Trench Layering Method

Want to preserve your grandfather's "Scup Nuts" vine? Muscadines and scuppernongs root easily from hardwood cuttings using a simple trench-layering technique. Early summer is ideal, but you can try this method anytime the vine is dormant.

Step-by-Step Trench Layering

1. Cut several 36-inch "switches" (1-year-old canes).
2. Store in a cooler with ice until planting.
3. Prepare a sunny, loose, loamy bed.
4. Dig 30-inch-long, 2-inch-deep trenches.
5. Lay each cane horizontally in a trench, leaving 6 inches of tip exposed.
6. Cover with soil; water well.

The buried portion will root over winter. By May, the exposed tips should show vigorous growth. Transplant the new plants then. This old-fashioned method has high success rates and preserves the exact genetic variety—sentimental value intact.

Muscadine grapes ready for harvest