I have a small blackberry patch that is growing on a trellis next to my fence. The patch is 5 or 6 years old and is becoming VERY overgrown. How do I cut it back without effecting next year’s production? I have done moderate pruning in the past but It now needs a serious hair cut.
2006-10-13 04:06:28 · 5 answers · asked by BeenThere 3 in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
Pruning. Blackberries. After the summer harvest, the old canes that fruited are cut back to the ground. About 5 to 8 new canes are allowed to grow and all other new canes are cut back to the ground. In the winter the new canes are cut back to 5 to 6 ft. long. They can then be either spread out in a fan shape and tied to the trellis wires, wrapped to the top wire, or brought over the top wire and tied to the middle wire. The side branches (laterals) are cut back to 12 inches.
2006-10-13 05:30:46 · answer #1 · answered by Cornpatch 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First thing, a good pair of thick leather gloves, then start cutting out all of the old runners and cleaning it up, this will help in being able to see what you want to remove from there. Cut back old runners or prune down to desired length, remember to cut at points right above where the leaves or smaller limbs are. another solution is to cut the whole thing back,down to the ground, it will not hurt your plants at all, as another person put it blackberry bushes are very hardy and can take being cut completely down. It will come back very well but may not produce for a year or two but then you can keep a better handle on it by being able to cut back unwanted runners and whatnot. Good Luck and remember GOOD thick gloves.
2006-10-13 11:36:06 · answer #2 · answered by bill e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had blackberries growing the whole length of one side of my property and the way I kept it under control was to grab the runners (with gloves, of course) and tuck them back into the middle of the patch. Since I mowed the edge, any the came up underground would be cut off.
I don't know any proper method of pruning, but it's such a hardy plant I doubt you can hurt it much no matter what you do.
2006-10-13 11:16:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I cut out the parts that are in the way. they are very hard to kill.
2006-10-13 11:17:41 · answer #4 · answered by Diana P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Right now it's the perfect time, and it'll be ready by next time!
2006-10-13 11:18:22 · answer #5 · answered by alfonso 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋