How To Prune Raspberries

Knowing how to prune raspberries is the single most important skill for a healthy, productive patch. Get it right, and you’ll be rewarded with abundant harvests for years. This guide will walk you through the simple steps for both summer and fall-bearing types.

Pruning isn’t just about cutting things back. It’s about directing the plants energy. Proper pruning improves air circulation, reduces disease, and encourages the canes that will bear next season’s fruit. It makes picking easier and keeps your patch from becoming a thorny jungle.

First: Identify Your Raspberry Type

You must know if you have summer-bearing or fall-bearing (also called everbearing) raspberries. The pruning schedule and method is completely different. If you’re not sure, watch your plants for a full season.

Summer-Bearing: Produce one large crop in early to mid-summer on canes that grew the previous year (called floricanes).
Fall-Bearing (Everbearing): Produce a crop in late summer/fall on the tips of the current season’s canes (primocanes). If left unpruned, they may also produce a smaller summer crop lower on those same canes the next year.

Tools You’ll Need

Using the right tools makes the job safer and healthier for the plants. Always start with clean, sharp tools.

Bypass Pruners: For most canes, up to about 1/2 inch thick.
Loppers: For thicker, older canes at the base.
Sturdy Gloves: Raspberry thorns are sharp!
Disinfectant: Wipe blades with rubbing alcohol between plants to prevent spreading disease.

How to Prune Summer-Bearing Raspberries

Summer-bearers fruit on two-year-old wood. The goal is to remove the canes that just fruited (they will die anyway) and thin the new canes that will fruit next year.

Step 1: Prune After Harvest (Late Summer)

As soon as the summer harvest is completely finished, cut all the canes that produced fruit this year down to the ground. These are the brown, woody-looking canes. They will not produce again.

Step 2: Thin the New Canes (Also Late Summer)

Now look at the new, green canes that grew this year. These are your next year’s fruiting wood. Thin them so the remaining canes are about 6 inches apart. Choose the strongest, healthiest ones. Remove any that are spindly, damaged, or diseased.

Step 3: Late Winter Clean-Up

In late winter or very early spring, before new growth starts, do a final tidy. Shorten the remaining tall canes to about 4-5 feet tall. This encourages larger berries and prevents them from leaning over. Also remove any canes that died over the winter.

How to Prune Fall-Bearing Raspberries

Fall-bearers fruit on first-year wood. You have two options: for one big fall crop, or for a smaller fall crop plus a summer crop.

Option A: For One Large Fall Crop (Simplest)

This is the easiest method. In late winter or early spring, before any growth begins, cut all canes down to the ground. New canes will grow in spring and produce a bounty of berries in late summer and fall.

Option B: For Two Smaller Crops (Summer & Fall)

After the fall harvest, only prune off the top portion of each cane that fruited. The lower portion of the cane that didn’t fruit will remain. The next summer, that lower portion will produce a crop. After that summer harvest, cut those old canes completely to the ground. Meanwhile, new canes are growing for that year’s fall crop. This method can be confusing and often yields smaller berries.

Essential Pruning Tips for Health

Beyond the basic cuts, these practices will keep your plants thriving.

Remove Suckers: Raspberries spread by underground runners. Dig up or cut off any suckers that pop up outside your desired row width, usually more than 12-18 inches from the main row.
Always Cut Close: When removing a cane, make your cut as flush to the soil line as possible. Don’t leave stubs, as they can rot and harbor pests.
Dispose of Debris: Never leave pruned canes in the patch. Rake up and remove all leaves and cuttings to eliminate overwintering sites for insects and fungal spores.
Support is Key: After pruning, it’s a good time to check your trellis or support system. Tying canes loosely to wires keeps them upright and improves air flow.

Common Pruning Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced gardeners can slip up. Here’s what to watch for.

Pruning at the Wrong Time: Pruning summer-bearers in spring will remove your entire coming crop. Know your type!
Not Thinning Enough: A thicket of canes competes for light and air, leading to small fruit and disease. Be brave with your thinning cuts.
Using Dull Tools: Crushed, torn cane ends are entry points for disease. Sharp pruners make clean cuts that heal fast.
Confusing New and Old Canes: If you’re unsure, remember: on summer-bearers, last year’s fruiting canes are brown and woody. This year’s new canes are green and fleshy.

FAQ: Your Raspberry Pruning Questions Answered

What happens if you don’t prune raspberries?

Unpruned patches become overcrowded and unproductive. Berries get smaller, diseases run rampant, and harvesting becomes a painful chore. The plants energy is wasted on too many weak canes.

Can you prune raspberries in the fall?

For summer-bearing types, yes—prune right after harvest, which is often in late summer or early fall. For fall-bearing types, you can prune the spent tips in late fall or, more commonly, cut all canes down in late winter.

How do you prune overgrown raspberry bushes?

Reclaiming a neglected patch takes two seasons. First, cut all canes to the ground in late winter. This resets the plant. That summer, you’ll get no fruit, but new canes will grow. The following year, begin the correct pruning cycle based on the type you identify.

How short should you cut raspberry canes?

When removing old canes, cut them flush to the ground. When tipping canes (for summer-bearers in late winter), cut them back to 4-5 feet tall. For fall-bearers using the “one crop” method, cut everythings down to ground level.

Pruning raspberries is a simple, satisfying garden task. By understanding your plant type and following these clear steps, you’ll ensure vigorous growth and maximize your sweet, homegrown harvest. Your patch will thank you with years of delicious berries.