Pruning is essential to the successful growth of many plants, including blackberries.
According to the expert of the online publication BelNovosti, scientist-agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh , by correctly removing excess and old shoots, the gardener thus creates conditions for the growth of young and healthy branches, thereby significantly improving the yield of blackberry bushes.
Tips for pruning blackberries
If you want to know how to properly remove old branches to allow young shoots to grow vigorously, follow the tips listed below.
It is worth thinning blackberry bushes on a regular basis, as they have the ability to quickly become dense.
The first pruning is done immediately after planting - experienced growers cut the blackberries to 30 cm above ground level, getting rid of weak shoots.
In the spring, it is worth taking up the pruning shears again to remove the frozen tops that suffered during the winter. They should be cut down to the nearest healthy bud.
During spring pruning, leave about ten one-year-old branches in the center of the bush, and in spring shorten them to 1.5 meters. The side shoots should be cut to 3 buds.
In June, experienced gardeners advise cutting the tops by 5 cm, and shortening the side stems, whose height has reached 70 cm, by 25 cm. Old branches are cut down to the base.
