Summary of Pruning Raspberries:
- Summer Raspberries: Cut back the two-year-old canes to ground level after harvest in the second year. At the same time, thin out the new canes to about seven per meter to ensure healthy growth.
- Autumn Raspberries: Cut back to ground level in spring, just before the growing season begins, not in autumn.
Understanding Raspberry Plant Growth:
- Raspberry plants, like their relative the blackberry, follow a biennial growth rhythm. Canes grow in the first year without blooming or fruiting. In the second year, these now two-year-old canes produce side shoots and flowers, resulting in fruit that is harvested in June and July. After this, the canes die off and dry out naturally.
Differences in Autumn Raspberries:
- Autumn raspberries also follow a two-year growth cycle but have a slight variation. They can produce fruit on the new canes in the same year they grow due to the lack of growth inhibitors present in summer raspberries.
Why Prune Raspberries:
- Pruning prevents disease spread, encourages the plant to focus on new growth, and ensures high yields by maintaining healthy canes.
When to Prune Raspberries:
- Summer Raspberries: Prune the two-year-old canes immediately after harvest in August. Thin the new canes to about 8-10 per meter.
- Autumn Raspberries: Prune all can
