Pruning blackberry
Advice for October in the Netherlands
Most garden blackberries crop on canes grown the previous year. Autumn-fruiting types also exist, so identify the type before removing old and new canes.
Which situation matches your plant?
Blackberry — Type unknown — October
Check this first
Do not blindly shorten every cane. First establish which canes have fruited and whether this is an autumn-fruiting primocane cultivar. In the meantime, tie in healthy new canes.
Pay attention to this
- The usual method covers blackberries cropping on last year's canes.
- Keep strong new canes for the next crop and train them separately.
- Wear sturdy gloves; long canes can spring back and may carry thorns.
Frequently asked questions
- Which canes should remain?
- On conventional blackberries, keep the strong new canes. After harvest, remove canes that have already fruited.
- Are all blackberries the same?
- No. Primocane cultivars crop differently; identify the system from the label or your observations during harvest.
- Can I just shorten every long tip?
- Start by tying canes in. Shortening every tip does not distinguish old from new canes or replace post-harvest pruning.