There
prune the raspberries is essential to obtain a generous and quality harvest. Too often neglected or poorly carried out, this step nevertheless determines the health of your plants and the quantity of fruit produced each season. Find out how to properly prune your raspberries to maximize your yield while respecting the plant’s natural cycle.
Why prune your raspberries?
There pruning raspberry bushes allows:
- To stimulate the production of new fruiting stems.
- To remove dead or diseased branches.
- To promote better ventilation and exposure to the sun.
- To limit congestion and prevent cryptogamic diseases.
According to an INRA study, correct pruning can increase yield by 30% on average on everbearing varieties.
Identify the type of raspberry bush
There are two main categories of raspberries:
– Raspberries non-everbearing
- Fruit only once in summer on the stems of the previous year.
- After harvest, all the stems that have borne fruit are cut at ground level.
– Uplifting raspberries
- Give two harvests: one in summer (on the stems of the previous year), one in autumn (on young shoots).
- After autumn, only the part that has fruited is cut.
- At the end of winter, we prune the canes that produced fruit the previous year to the ground.
When to prune?
| Type of raspberry bush | Recommended pruning period |
|---|---|
| Not rising | Late summer – early autumn |
| Rising | End of winter (February/March) |
Tip: the winter pruning also makes it easier to spot weak or diseased branches.
How to properly prune your raspberries?
– The right tools
- Well-sharpened and disinfected pruning shears.
- Gloves to avoid thorns.
- Staking if necessary for the remaining stems.
– Pruning steps
- Remove any dry or brown stems.
- Select 8 to 10 vigorous canes per foot.
- Cut the others at the base.
- Ventilate the center of the plant to limit humidity.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Cut too short : reduces the plant’s reserves.
- Confuse young and old stems : at the risk of eliminating future fruits.
- Forgetting to disinfect the pruning shears : can transmit diseases from one plant to another.
Bonus tip for optimal harvest
Mulch the base of your raspberry bushes after pruning with BRF (fragmented ramial wood) or straw: this retains moisture and enriches the soil.
FAQ
When is the best time to prune everbearing raspberries?
The main pruning is done at the end of winter, around February or March, before vegetation resumes.
How many canes should you keep per foot?
It is recommended to store between 8 and 10 vigorous canes per plant for optimal fruiting.
Can I prune my raspberries in autumn?
Yes, but only for non-everbearing varieties. For pick-me-ups, wait until the end of winter so as not to compromise the spring harvest.
Well done, there pruning raspberry bushes ensures a tasty, more abundant harvest and a healthy plant.
