How to Prune a Blackberry Bush

Nothing is quite as delicious as fresh-picked blackberries in the early summer. But blackberry bushes left untamed can be a nightmare. Although they produce a luscious fruit, the thorny limbs can make it very difficult to manage if they are not properly pruned back once or twice a year.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bypass pruners
• Gloves
• Long-sleeved shirt
• Twine
• Trellis or fence

1. Cover your arms and hands properly to prevent scratches.

2. After your blackberry bush has completed bearing fruit in mid-summer, cut the large canes back to about 2 to 3 feet. This will allow the bush to begin branching laterally.

3. Using twine or twist ties, tie the lateral branches to your fence or trellis to prevent the limbs from bending forward.

4. Cut any dead branches or canes to the ground.

5. Prune lateral branches back to 2 feet in length.

6. Watch for new plants that may crop up in unwanted areas and remove them immediately.