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When is it better to prune raspberries: correct pruning is the key to the health of the berry bush
19.01.2023 13:50
Updated: 13.04.2023 13:09
Those who believe that raspberries grow in the forest on their own and are tastier than garden ones, although no one takes care of them, should note the quality of the berries.
Yes, garden berries are not as aromatic and perhaps not as sweet, but in other respects they are not inferior to wild berries.
Pruning in the garden is carried out in spring or autumn. We will tell you which of them is considered preferable and correct in relation to caring for raspberries.
Spring pruning
It is carried out during March-April, and you can start as soon as the snow melts. In this case, damaged, dry and diseased shoots are cut out. They are removed at the very ground. Frozen shoots are removed closer to healthy buds. The height of the cut shoots should be 1.2-1.5 m.
Proper spring care allows you to awaken the buds, which will give up to 6 shoots, and then berries will grow on them. Without pruning the bushes, you will not be able to grow large berries.
However, after spring pruning, raspberries grow thicker and more lush, which can cause the spread of infections. In addition, excess shade can prevent the bushes from growing and developing.
Autumn pruning
If you give raspberries the necessary attention, up to 20 new shoots can grow from one root.
In the fall, about a month before the cold weather, two-year-old shoots need to be cut out. They will not yield any crops in the future. New stems are left until the next fall pruning, so that the strongest ones can be selected later.
Along with the two-year-olds, all diseased shoots are cut out, which can become a source of spreading fungus and infections, as well as a wintering place for pests. In the spring, you will still have to review the raspberry patch and carry out the necessary work.
What is the correct pruning?
Such a concept does not exist, say experienced gardeners. Raspberries need regular pruning, i.e. both in spring and autumn, which is considered the only condition for maintaining the health of the berry and high-quality fruiting.
