Properly maintained grapes are pruned quite severely and the loss of the new growth following proper pruning can be disastrous for the plant. Some growers practice what they call green pruning - pruning after leaves have appeared on the vines. This is less debilitating to the plant than having the new growth from the desired buds killed by a late frost. The green growth cut by late pruning is often damaged by late freezes anyway. More information on growing and pruning grapes is available at your local County Extension Office.
Autumn is an excellent time to plant many trees and shrubs.
There are a few exceptions such as desert willow, but for others plant now. It is important to properly care for trees and shrubs planted now. Prepare the soil by loosening the soil over a large area, adding compost or peatmoss to this prepared site. At the center of this area of loosened soil, dig a hole no deeper than needed to plant the tree or shrub, remove it from the nursery can, cut or spread any circling roots. If it is balled and burlapped, remove any wire basket after setting the plant into the hole, roll the burlap to the bottom of the hole, and cut any twine tied around the base of the tree.