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Pruning Black raspberries in fall #771084

Asked September 07, 2021, 2:53 PM EDT

Hi! I'm in South Minneapolis. My black raspberries are intermixed with red raspberries. Last fall we cut all the black raspberry stems to the ground (not ready to learn to take care of them). The red raspberries were left in a few spots. This year we let the vegetation go nuts (some fruit bearing, mostly not), and this time I'm trying to figure out what to do with them this fall. All of the things I'm reading say I should cut the fruit being ones to the ground (but I've lost track of which were which, as it's a tangled mess of many dozens of 8' and longer canes). What should I do with these long tangled black raspberry canes? Do I need to leave them and wait to trim in the spring? Can I trim them this fall to be a couple feet tall and thin them out? (I was thinking of trying to make a basket with the canes, but I want black raspberries next year ... So, I'll sacrifice the basket idea if need be.) Thank you for your help!

Hennepin County Minnesota

Expert Response

Black raspberries are biennial.  This means that when you cut the canes to the ground you started over.   The canes that regrew this year will produce fruit next year.  

If you did get any fruit this year those branches are done and can be cut to the ground. Do not cut the branches that did not produce back now.  You can prune them in the spring.  There are special pruning tips to help increase yields. You might consider a trellis for the black raspberries. It would make them easier to control and pick.  The following web sites have more details.

1.
https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-raspberries-home-garden

2. https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Pruning-Raspberries-PDF

MaryKay, Master Gardener, Tree Care Advisor Replied September 12, 2021, 10:29 AM EDT

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