When to prune raspberries in the fall and why to do it

Wild forest raspberries bear fruit well even without pruning. However, modern varieties require regular shortening stems and removing excess shoots. Otherwise, the harvest will be quite low. Therefore, it is so important to prune this plant in a timely manner. Below you will find out when to prune raspberries in the fall and why to do it in principle.

At the same time, it is important to follow the correct technology, as well as focus on the lunar calendar. Editorial “With Taste” I collected only the most proven advice from experienced summer residents and gardeners, placing them in this article. Previously, we also talked about how to grow a bountiful harvest of basil.

Why prune raspberries in the fall?

Pruning raspberries is not a whim, but a necessity. It is needed for the following:

• to get rid of insects. By autumn, there are so many pests that if they are not removed in time, they descend into the soil and overwinter on the roots of the bush;
• to thin out the bushes. Young growth negatively affects the quality of the berries and also complicates the care of raspberries;
• to improve the quality of the crop. If the plant is without extra shoots, then it will give all its strength to the berries.

In the fall, both regular and remontant raspberries are pruned – only the techniques and timing differ.

When to prune raspberries in the fall

Autumn is the most optimal time for pruning raspberries. It is enough to prune ordinary raspberries once at the end of September (before the arrival of persistent cold). But pruning of remontant varieties should be carried out exclusively in late autumn, at the end of November. Many gardeners postpone this task even until December (with the arrival of persistent frosts). If remontant raspberries are pruned ahead of schedule, then all of their nutrients simply will not have time to move from the stems to the roots. Thus, you should not expect a successful good harvest next year.

Types of pruning raspberries in autumn

You cannot prune raspberries indiscriminately! For beginners in this business, proven schemes have long been developed to simplify the process of caring for shrubs:

1. Perform pruning immediately after the last harvest. In this case, it is necessary to remove all fruit-bearing shoots older than 2 years (at the root) and shoots of the current year (20–25 cm).
2. After pruning, it is recommended to treat the bush with Bordeaux mixture.

Pruning remontant raspberries in the fall includes several types:

• ordinary pruning – removing both the ground and root parts of the young bush, which has not yet had time to harden;
• formative pruning is a process when the main stem of the bush is not touched, but the young shoots are completely removed;
• sanitary pruning – getting rid of all damaged and dried shoots.

Pruning raspberries in autumn: what height to cut to?

Pruning raspberries is necessary in order to form a strong and healthy bush. The formation of a bush lasts 2 years, and the procedure is different at each time of the year. In the first year, remove excess shoots, leaving only the strongest ones. For the latter, cut off the top and all the shoots on the sides. In the second year, begin to shorten the main stems (to the first developed bud). Remove only weak tips from lateral shoots.

After pruning, you need to water the bushes generously so that the roots have enough water for a long time. Remember that, compared to conventional varieties, remontant raspberries consume one and a half times more nutrients and moisture. In the case of autumn planting of remontant raspberries, it is necessary to prepare the soil well and plant it 3-4 weeks before the onset of frost. In addition to following the correct technique, it is important to focus on the lunar calendar.

Exact lunar calendar of works for September and October

Planting raspberries in September: from September 17th to 24th.
Pruning raspberries in September: September 19th and 24th.

Planting raspberries in October: from October 17th to 20th and October 23rd to 29th.
Pruning raspberries in October: from October 11th to October 23rd.

Many gardeners leave some of last year’s shoots to quickly get an early harvest. In this case, it is important not to leave too many branches (3 to 5 per bush is enough). At the same time, the number of annuals also needs to be regulated – no more than 5 branches. Then the berries will be quite large and the bush will be clean. On two-year-old shrubs, berries usually appear in mid-July, and on annual shrubs – at the end of August.

Advance feeding of raspberries

To prepare a plant for winter, you need to provide it with all the useful substances. It’s worth starting in the summer. Be careful with nitrogen fertilizers, as they negatively affect the plant’s ability to withstand cold weather.

The end of August is the best time to feed phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. They will help the raspberry root system prepare for frost and stock up on nutrients that will be useful in the next growing season. Feeding is usually completed in September – early October.

Autumn, of course, is the best time to work with raspberries. But if for some reason you didn’t manage to meet the deadlines, don’t worry! Malina Can be pruned in early spring (before buds open). However, this will need to be done, since thickened plantings will not produce a good harvest. In the following article, learn about 2 ways to rejuvenate a rose.