Kitchen Garden Forum

I pruned only half my Autumn Bliss canes back this February with the result that I got raspberries this year all the way from June to now. So far so good.

I'd like to do the same this coming winter. Only thing is, how do I know what canes to cut back to the ground next February? Ie, how can I tell the difference between the new canes which grew up this year and the ones from last year because I'm assuming I won't want to be left only with the old canes? Or maybe it doesn't matter? Sorry if this sounds complicated! Any advice gratefully received!

the old ones should be more woody (harder , browner)than the new ones. or you could just cut down half the row, then the other end next year

Dear Bigpepperplant, i have been doing this now for a couple of years on someone elses canes.
On the second year half the canes just looked a lot healthier than the others, so these were left and the others cut down.
They have cropped very well so i must be getting it about right.

Keep it as simple as possible, thats me.

thanks everyone!

Have I misunderstood something here. Why don't you just completely cut down half the row one February and the other half the next year?

Dear Geoff, it would be simpler to just cut one half a row down, but i found if you thin half of them out of the complete row, you can leave the strongest ones.

depends on the time available, the hedge cutter whips off half a row in a jiffy

Dear Richard, you certainly have a good point there.

My raspberries have hardly fruited at all

It is their first summer (if you can call it a summer! ), and I think because of the lack of sun there has been a lack of fruit.

I demand a recount! *hands on hips*