How to Prune Raspberries in Autumn

Pruning raspberries encourages healthy growth and curbs disease.

Raspberries that flower in summer should be pruned in early spring and after the final harvest in late summer or autumn. Pruning prevents branch overgrowth, conserves plant energy and prevents diseases and fungi associated with overcrowding. Routine pruning will promote strong new growth and larger, healthier, tastier berries.

Things You'll Need

• Pruning shears

Instructions

1. Prune all dead, weak, broken, infested or diseased canes down to ground level. Remove the branches and dispose of them.

2. Prune all canes that produced fruits down to ground level. Remove and dispose of the branches.

3. Cut back the remaining canes taller than 5 feet until they measure 4 1/2 to 5 feet, unless you already did so during the spring pruning. Cut right above a node.

Tips & Warnings

• Prune autumn-blooming raspberries in winter.

• Remove the top 6 inches of new summer-blooming raspberry branches in winter.

References

• The Telegraph: How to Plant and Prune Raspberries
• USA Gardener: How to Grow Raspberries
• BBC Gardening Guides: About Raspberries
• University of Minnesota: Raspberries for the Home Garden