How to Prune Raspberries, by Beyond the Chicken Coop on YouTube. 1 min 43 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 43 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Find out which type you grow. Summer-fruiting raspberries crop on last year's canes, while fall-fruiting (everbearing) types crop on this year's new canes.
Put on gloves and long sleeves. Raspberry canes have fine thorns that scratch easily.
For summer-fruiting types, cut the canes that fruited this year down to ground level. These are the older, browner canes.
Keep 5 to 8 of the strongest new green canes per plant for next year. Cut the rest at the base.
For fall-fruiting types, cut every cane to the ground after harvest. New canes will grow and fruit next fall.
Make each cut clean and close to the soil, not leaving a stub above the ground.
Pull out any weak, broken or diseased canes and any canes growing far outside the row.
Rake up all cut canes and fallen leaves. Bin or burn them rather than leaving them near the plants.
Tips and common mistakes
Prune on a dry day so the cuts seal over and disease does not spread.
Do not cut more than a third of a healthy plant's canes in one go.
Disinfect your pruners with rubbing alcohol between plants if you have had disease.
Tie the canes you keep to a wire or post support so they stay upright through winter.
Questions
Can I prune raspberries in spring instead?
Yes. Fall-fruiting types can be cut to the ground in late winter before new growth starts. Summer-fruiting types are best pruned right after harvest.
What happens if I cut all the canes down?
Fall-fruiting raspberries will still fruit next fall on new canes. Summer-fruiting types will skip a year of fruit because they need last year's canes.
Do I need to cut canes at an angle?
A flat cut close to the ground is fine. The main thing is a clean cut with sharp pruners and no long stub left behind.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
