Trim Blackberry Bushes in the fall?

Question

We have three 2 year old blackberry bushes in our yard. A few of the shoots have grown about 4 feet, where the others are shorter. Should I be trimming these in the fall? And if so, to what height??

Answer 1

Blackberry bushes should be trimmed right after they bear fruit - in the early summer in most places. The new growth they put on during the summer and fall will bear the fruit next spring. Sometimes canes will bear fruit two years in a row, but the second year fruit is not always as plump and juicy (more seed, less pulp).

Now that you have not trimmed the canes and it's really too late for new growth to start, why not wait to see what happens in the spring. You'll still get some berries, and you'll learn what to do in the future.

You will notice that some canes die during the winter. That is a natural culmination of the plants life cycle. Cut those out as close to the ground as possible to keep them from being obnoxiously cruel when you go to harvest in the spring. The dead canes are of no further use.

When you trim next year after the berry harvest, decide how many canes you want to keep. Some will have grown out new in the spring, those did not have fruit. They will have fruit next season. Blackberries are similar to roses...if you cut the end of a cane, it will send out branches below the cut. You will then have a greater berry bearing surface, so to speak.

The best teacher you have is the blackberry vine/bush itself. Watch and learn. Love that blackberry jam!!!

Answer 2

Yes, you should trim them now.

Any bush or tree that is deciduous (leaves fall off in autumn and regrow in spring) should be trimmed in late fall to early winter. This is because the 'life' of the plant pulls into the center of the plant. In the spring, the 'life' goes back out from the center to the tips of branches to help create flowers and new leaves.

What height? I would trim the longer branches down to the length of the shorter branches.

BUT! Since this is a blackberry bush, you also have the option of installing a piece of lattice behind the bush and winding the longer branches through the lattice. You'll get more blackberries (and easier access to them) next July!

So, trimming the bushes is your choice. But if you want to trim them, do it before the end of January.

Answer 3

If the bushes are not within the boundaries that you have set for them, go ahead and trim them in the fall. Stray canes that are cut back in the fall will generate side shoots once growth starts again in the spring, and you should see new flowers shortly afterward.

Answer 4

the fruit develops on final years canes so do no longer trim the plant yet. when you have picked the berries this 3 hundred and sixty 5 days you may decrease the canes returned to sell new advance which will produce fruit next spring

Answer 5

Blackberry canes grow from the ground one year and bloom, bear fruit, the next, then they become a brittle and useless mess. Prun out canes after they have born fruit. Leave the fresher young canes for the following year. You may thin them out if you feel they are getting out of hand but leave the sturdiest ones. It,s not a good idea to shorten the ones you leave. That would reduce next season's set. Remember to wear sturdy protective clothing unless they are the thornless type.