How to Prune Blackberries

Blackberries are ideal for the home gardener because they're so easy. The challenge comes in keeping the rambunctious canes within bounds so they don't engulf the neighborhood. It's a simple process, though, and a great activity for anyone who enjoys puttering.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass Pruners
• Trellises
• Twine
• Twine

1. Cut all first-year canes back to 3 feet in midsummer with bypass pruners to encourage lateral branching.

2. Tie each lateral branch to a horizontal support, such as a trellis, with twine as it grows if you've planted a trailing variety (or if you simply prefer to grow an upright variety on supports).

3. Prune each lateral branch to about half its length in late winter or early spring; then, after harvest, cut to soil level all canes that have borne fruit.

4. Keep an eagle eye out for new plants, and keep canes thinned to about 6 inches apart.

Tips & Warnings

• If they're pruned steadily, upright blackberries can stand on their own, though many gardeners grow them on trellises or fences as a matter of convenience or aesthetics. Trailing blackberries, though, need the support of a sturdy fence or trellis.
• Boysenberries, loganberries, tayberries and wineberries, all of which grow on trailing canes, are varieties of blackberries.
• Blackberry thorns can inflict painful wounds. Whenever you work around them, or any bramble fruit, wear thick leather gloves; long, sturdy jeans or trousers; and a long-sleeved shirt. To avoid direct contact when you're pruning, grasp the canes with long-handled barbecue tongs.