Pruning Raspberries - Why? How? When? (2020)

Raspberry bushes have to be pruned every year to maximize growth and production and limit disease and pests. There are two types of Raspberry bushes, summer-bearing and ever-bearing. Which type you have will dictate how you prune. Pruning Raspberries isn't hard and it doesn't take long. But doing it right is essential to having a healthy, producing crop every summer.
Your Raspberry bush must not be pruned in the fall. Leave it alone! Raspberry pruning is done at the end of winter, leading into spring bud break. This allows you to clear out all the old brambles properly, easily determine the Floricanes from the Primocanes, and lets you have perfect spacing to lay down that final layer of mulch before the patch becomes foliage (and thorn!) heavy.
Check out this video on how to grow even MORE Raspberries from cuttings!: • How To Grow Raspberry ...
Also, if you need some quality pruning shears for all your brambles, I recommend these guys from my Amazon Affiliate link!
Canada Amazon: amzn.to/2Xjft1r
USA Amazon: amzn.to/2pjSCGm

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Can't prune, but still want to clean and winterize your Raspberry patch? Check this out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hXmriK13ntt4sJo

[@LittleRapGuy]

what types do you grow?

[@patandbrenda53]

What do you mulch with? Grass?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@patandbrenda53 grass or leaves or straw

[@twifosp]

I'm rewatching this for the third season now. The last two years I've had more raspberries than ever! Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, glad to hear glenn!!

[@StephanieStults]

I dont know how many videos I have watched about Raspberries here on youtube and your video has been by far the best one... I finally understand the difference in the canes. Thanks Much!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Wow, thanks Stephanie! Glad it helped! Cheers and Happy Growing!

[@mj9608]

amen!

[@susanw8471]

Me as well. Thank you!

[@sarahs4109]

Yeah this was a great, clear video, thanks! Going out to do this right now!

[@kkiissssiikk]

I agree. Love the information and the delivery. Thank you!

[@theOneTheOnlyEditz]

Thank you! You are a great teacher. You are obviously very knowledgeable, but took the time to explain things on a basic level so beginners like me can understand and do it correctly right from the start. :) I'm excited I can put off my pruning til late March. :)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much for the kind words Karen, much appreciated! :-)

[@techattack9292]

Awesome job. Great advice not to prune in Autumn, your examples show exactly what I've got in my patch and now, after watching this, I know exactly what to do with my patch. Many thanks🙂

[@jenniemchenry9278]

OMG my raspberries are taking over my herb garden!!! I planted one little plant in 2020 and used my husband's old horseshoe pits to make herb gardens! Now the raspberries are shooting up all over! Great video! This helped me understand so much.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha a nice problem to have... How were the harvests?

[@jenniemchenry9278]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms plentiful!!!! I was able to make raspberry jam!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@jenniemchenry9278 love it! I like it even more than strawberry jam!

[@NukesOfHazzard]

Thank you! I just planted a bunch of raspberries this summer and had no idea how to prune them. Watched many confusing videos but now understand that I have everbearing raspberries and exactly when and how to prune them. A huge thumbs up!!!

[@ZSchrink]

I don't do a whole lot of gardening, but I do a little and this channel has been so amazing! You have a delivery of information and actions in a very pleasant tone that doesn't make me feel dumb and is refreshing! Thanks for the info :)

[@shaysummers3520]

Thanks! Your demo & instructions are going to be so helpful! I understand the difference between the two types of canes now. I also really like your suggestion of staggering the heights of the floricanes!

[@lyndagraham2162]

Wow I think I finally understand how to prune my new raspberry patch. Thanks a million! Very clear and comprehensive tutorial

[@LoraxChannel]

Glad I found your videos. You are reallly good at being comprehensive and staying on track. I've seen a lot of gardening videos, and I shared yours immediately to family who are butchering their raspberries :)

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Todd, thanks so much for the support and for watching. Its much appreciated man.

[@kristaboston5895]

I watched this to prepare to go outside today and prune bushes in a new house I moved into. I suspect my raspberry plants thank you. My lazy side does too. Putting off to March! Woo hoo!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha, procrastination is my middle name!

[@dontdiefox]

Same! Kinda bummed I have to wait 😆

[@TheSuburbanGardenista]

This was such a helpful video! I had no idea about the two different types of canes on everlasting raspberries - time for me to do some observation to see what time my berries come, and then have a plan for next year! Thank you for the great tips!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Don't forget when pruning those smaller green shoots...Raspberry Canes are very very easy to root as cuttings...and grow infinitely more Raspberry plants and patches for free!: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5jZk5Srqt-Ma9U

[@annamitchell5840]

Your instructions are so clear. Orderly and detailed. Thank you

[@roboutdoors8680]

Thanks so much for this video. I've been pruning my ever bearing raspberries wrong for 15 years. I always cut them down to knee height every fall just before ground freeze. Learn something new everyday. Thanks. Cheers 🍻

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

They are tough plants and still likely produce for you though!

[@insearchofspacedabs506]

Amazing video, thank you! I watched so many others about pruning raspberries and your video is the best, most informative and easy to understand by a long shot. Keep up the good work! 👍

[@sydneybristo22]

Thank you so much. I watch this every year now

[@sacdigitaldesignweb]

Thank you for the explanations! I just bought blackberry ebony king and raspberry jewel today. Can’t wait to see their growth!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Thomas! Best of luck with the planting!

[@travelinggirl6681]

This is the best video that I have seen for thoroughly explaining what the difference between the canes is. You are very good at explaining things so they are easy to understand. I feel confident to be able to go out and tackle my overgrown bed. Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much! Best of luck with your patch this year! :-)

[@KerriEverlasting]

Overgrown bed... what a nice problem to have! I'm still waiting for more than a stick with a tiny leaf 😂

[@travelinggirl6681]

@@KerriEverlasting The weather is making growth on everything here, very difficult.

[@nocomment4642]

Great advice fully explained clearly. I feel much more confident about pruning now I know the difference in the canes.Great job ! Thank you

[@lisathayne7333]

Fabulous info. The most thorough explanation I’ve seen. Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much lisa, appreciate that! :-)

[@bfl4202]

Great video..from a Canadian. Thank you...I feel confident now that my everbearing raspberries will get the correct pruning this year.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks!! Best of luck with the harvests!!

[@beardegamer]

I've watched a lot of videos on this and yours helped out the most. Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Awesome Goldmane, thanks for the support!

[@rsillylife]

Thank you for the awesome instructions! I finally feel confident to go out and tackle my raspberries overgrowth!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Amanda! Keep us updated on the progress!

[@smontelius]

What did you use for mulch?

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@smontelius I use either straw or grass clippings, depending on the time of year.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

If you're just starting out gardening in 2020, this inexpensive set of tools from Amazon can get you and your Onions, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers, whatever up and running this spring! I know there is a fevered and renewed interest in gardening and many of you are seasoned vets. But remember that there's a whole population out there that hasn't gardened before. Let's help them out and encourage as much as possible! Affiliate links below: Amazon USA: amzn.to/2xXLfbG Amazon Canada: amzn.to/3aoN1AN Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2XrQA5A The 10x20 nursery trays are a gardener's NECESSITY. Use the Amazon Afilliate links below to find the right ones! Amazon USA: amzn.to/2JFB4uM Amazon Canada: amzn.to/2wQCeBd Amazon U.K.: amzn.to/2xepyEi

[@meghantirk1899]

Great video! Glad I finally found a Canadian channel. Rider pride 🤘

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Meghan!! Too bad about the season this year... :( Thanks for watching though, appreciate the support!

[@jessicaking3692]

Awesome video! Covered everything I was wondering, thanks!

[@vbart5263]

Happy found your video - clear and understandable, most of all - simple care of rasberies. Love the beauty in simplicity :)

[@123memine]

I am a newbie in gardening and I love your video! Thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks for that! Appreciate it!

[@davidmcrae4791]

Finally. I finally understand and feel confident enough to cut my berries

[@gabrielleravenda3926]

Thanks so much for this video. You’re great in explaining not only how to prune but “why” you should prune. Great video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Gabrielle, thanks so much for watching!

[@dlschweppe]

Great video. Started with three raspberry plants from Menards last year. Thought they died over the winter. And then spring came.... I've had two harvests from them - in the spring and now this September (2023). And the raspberry canes have taken over a 4x8 foot section of the garden and infiltrated the 4x8 beds beyond their own! I came to KZbin to see what needed to be done and found your video near the top of the list. So now I know - leave the canes alone until early spring, do the pruning then, and be ready for another abundant harvest! Oh, and be sure to mulch for winter. Thanks again!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on....sounds like you're setting yourself up for some major harvests in the coming years!

[@rhondastickel8352]

First video that makes sense for a newbie. Thank you for the details, I think i got it!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on rhonda, glad to help!

[@gointotruthnomatterwhat4541]

Great video! Very informative and easy to understand!

[@CutieTVFunnyCute]

I am a raspberry fan from the Philippines

[@ForestLoresinger]

I didn't know that Gary Vaynerchuk put out gardening videos, but I'm glad I discovered them!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Gary V is the man!

[@mxpants4884]

Amazing video! I read about this and watched multiple other videos, and with a patch I planted last year and will be pruning for the first time when it starts to warm up I finally feel like I will be able to tell the types of canes apart! Reading articles left me with the impression that I was supposed to memorize what canes had previously fruited or something crazy like that! Seeing what they look like at the right stage of growth really helps.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Happy to help, best of luck!

[@whatifitnt]

I keep coming back to remind me how it’s done🤔😁😂 Thank you for sharing 💝✨💖💫

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks so much for watching! 🙂

[@pattybrown2100]

Thank you! I have been baffled as to how to maximize my raspberry crop. I will try this pruning strategy and let you know!

[@lindapooh1970]

Thankyou Thankyou!! I almost went out there and gave mine a butcher 🤪 ...rewatched your video because I forgot. Your such a blessing. Thanks again 😁👍

[@magdadenver]

Great video, very detail oriented which I appreciate! Keep doing the great work

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey Magdalena, thanks for that. Much appreciated! :-)

[@jahya7966]

Thanks for all the tips, great content!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Jahya! Appreciate it!

[@j.r.9998]

Thank you, your video and directions are just fantastic.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers! Thanks for watching! :-)

[@FalconWing1813]

Thanks for showing this ! going to give raspberries a try this year

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Best of luck! Once you get 'em going, they really are a productive perennial!

[@paulinanelega]

Very clear instructions - thank you!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks for watching Paulina! Happy growing to you!

[@masterofgarden3472]

I learn more from you than other channel because you show the cane instead of talk talk talk...

[@OakKnobFarm]

I never considered cutting some of teh canes tall and some short to get more density vertically in your row. I always just took off the dead stuff at the top. Great idea!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yeah I started experimenting a couple of years ago with different patches to see how'd they react and grow. It really allows for full vertical production. I'm sure it's variety dependent though man, so your mileage may vary! Cheers buddy!

[@aman4peace]

I did not how my self i just wanted to know to grow and maintain them to make more. Now he is easy to uderstand. My wife had just bought black rasberries, roses,blues berries

[@liamgrows]

Wow lots of raspberry plants I’ve just started 3 months ago

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Liam, best of luck!

[@punisher6]

Awesome video just getting some raspberries planted and this will help out in the future

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks, best of luck!

[@myediblegardenuk5900]

Great Vid! Very informative. We are growing loganberries (cross between a raspberry and blackberry) and all gold raspberries, over here in My Edible Garden UK.

[@Newyosemitehomestead]

Oh man I’m glad I saw this. I was about to go trim everything back 😮

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Lidia! There's an updated video for this here if you wanted to check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYLGhIWte9V5hcU

[@Newyosemitehomestead]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Is the pruning the same for boysenberries and blackberries??

[@brettwynn8811]

Outstanding Video! Thanks!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Hey, thanks so much! :-)

[@MRDSMacedonia]

VERY helpful instructor.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Steve, appreciate the kind words. :-)

[@dwoodog]

Ok this was exactly what I was looking for. I was going to prune now (end of july) but I'll wait until next march/april.

[@dragoncat5836]

Omg me too

[@RooSpee]

Excellent instructions. Thank you.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks, and thank you for watching!

[@sahmadi1000]

The best ever. THANKS

[@rdouglas8024]

Love the shirt and hat! Go Riders!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha, always and forever Rae! :-)

[@katesweet5839]

Thank you! I'm going out to prune now.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Best of luck Kate!

[@strictlyconservative8777]

Great video!

[@leannab3865]

Thank you. This is helpful.

[@Doretta9]

Thank you for this information, I now know to remove the old canes now, because the fruit is all done already, didn't seem to do very well this year anyway and then I will remove all the dead canes this winter. I have never pruned these raspberries, I know ;o( but I will be sure to check in on your videos and I am sure you will help with this.

[@casper1240]

I still get mixed up with summer and winter varieties im doing it the simplest way i know just cut out all the dead canes in late autumn early spring

[@4everGrowin]

Thanks for the upload brother

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, thanks for watching! :-)

[@OSGCourtWatch]

Have grown to really value your videos...good concise relevant info...thx. One question on flurocanes...why not cut them to ground level right after they have finished their early summer fruiting? My thought is then the crowns send more energy into the growth of the primocanes for the rest of the summer & fall. That’s how we’ve been doing it for 4-5 years now and while we’ve had spectacular results, wondering if they could be even better...always looking for a better way..l

[@fionahobbs8818]

Very helpful, thankyou.

[@dannyedsers]

Another great video thanks, I've said before but you remind me of mark Wahlberg 😀 nearly trimmed my raspberries back now they've finished fruiting, thanks for the tip 👍

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Say hi to your mother for me.... (hope you get the joke!). LOL

[@dannyedsers]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms Mile 22 lol.. lets hope there's a Ted 3 lol..

[@fanatamon]

Thanks man Im in southern nsw Australia reckon my raspberries should go off this yr now good vid cheers all the best.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, best of luck with them! :-)

[@brianklocke5971]

Just pruned my bushes following your guidance, had a great crop last year and I'm sure waiting till now to prune will make it even better. Easy to see last years Floricanes (sp?) from your guidance sorry if I misspelled. Planted 3 years ago with my blueberries - would ;love your take on them too if you grow... I will send pics if successful if you'd like to serve as a testimonial lol

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, glad to hear it Brian! Fingers crossed we have another great one this year!

[@sheilaforde836]

Awesome! Thank you.

[@milesdavis4183]

Just moved on new property with tons of nut trees, fruit trees, endangered trees, and just found out last week the people before us also planted red raspberries all on our hill, East side of the property. It completely took over the entire hillside and now we have tons of berries... Will have to prune them this year.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Miles....congrats on the mega harvest! :-)

[@juliehenderson1672]

Thanks! Great video.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Julie, cheers!

[@joleenpeters5411]

Thankyou for the helpful video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers Joleen, thanks for watching! :-)

[@SchulzArt]

Thank you pruning mine tomorrow

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Jennifer...spring is almost here!! :-)

[@joannewalters4837]

Brilliant👍🏻 thank you👏

[@jacobhall1488]

I needed to do a good cleaning (dig out some volunteer trees that made their way into the area, weed, edge) as they hadn't properly been maintained for a couple seasons. So just now in early November In the upper part of zone 6, I cut out what should be the floracanes. To get to the florocanes more easily, I cut the top part of my primocanes that had grown above my top trellis wire which is maybe 4 ft high so that I could see to get into the trellis area to find the florocanes. Then it went looking for a video to decide how much more I wanted to prune them back. But it looks like I can wait until the spring to do the majority of the canes which are primacanes now. And in the spring I won't have any of what will be last year's florocanes at that point. But basically I'm just sharing this and seeing if anyone thinks that's going to hurt the plants to do this two-phase approach. I also dig up and give away a lot of raspberries each spring. It's probably better to give them away in the fall I suppose but I just never make it that far in my chores before the freeze. And also I'm curious if anyone has a thought on cutting out the flora canes now... They were clearly dead and dried off all the way to the base. In fact they could have been left there not growing anything all year. Many of them snapped off or even just separated at the base without even having to cut them. Not sure if I'm making great sense. When I'm in there with the shears, pretty easy for me to know what I can safely cut out right to the ground that's not going to go back. And then it's the rest of the still living stuff that leaves me wondering a little bit if I'm doing it right.

[@stuartbattey4153]

Cheer dude great video

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Stuart! 🙂

[@PermacultUrbaine]

Nice video. Thanks

[@kimheflin3108]

Loved your video!! It is the end of September and I was about to go out and prune my raspberry plants. I'm so glad I watched your presentation. I will save that task until Spring. Were you using grass clippings as mulch? Just checking....

[@ralphh4131]

great voice and cadence

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Ralph, thanks for the support!

[@Pinkpumpkingardener]

Thank you 🙏

[@crackerjack4790]

Well done!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks! Appreciate that. :-)

[@sugarmuffin319]

Our raspberries and black berries were out of control. One spring,out of frustration,my husband ran them over with the lawn mower.... Their production has been sky high ever since!😂✌ This method is MUCH gentler LOL

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Ha ha! Awesome. If it works, it works! LOL

[@sugarmuffin319]

@@TheRipeTomatoFarms happy accidents💁

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

@@sugarmuffin319 ha ha, indeed!

[@jamiepeirce526]

Watching from by backyard in Saskatoon, love the hat, thanks for the advise.

[@1962tubeyou]

Great video - my raspberries are out of control and I need to rejuvinate the patch.

[@actionneeded5922]

Helpful info Thanks

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, thanks for watching!

[@PJA2072]

Thanks for the info....go Riders!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yessssss!! If we get a season that is.. -_-

[@randomron67]

Very informative and clear. Video editing is on point. subbed!!!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much Ton, appreciate the support!

[@KRowe]

Hoping I can apply this to my wild black raspberries on our farm.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Similar growth... I don't see why not!

[@norcaljovigirl]

Thank you! Very clear and informative. Now I just have to figure out when 'early spring' is for my area, or I guess just watch for the early growth and then prune.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@YOU_CREATE_YOUR_OWN_KARMA_369]

I’d love to help even if it’s only a minuscule amount!! The following is the first thing * I ALWAYS RECOMMEND* to someone when it’s our first conversation about home growing plants. *I HIGHLY SUGGEST* that you look up *AND* research *Hardiness Zones”.* Once you search that term it will either show you a large map of the worlds zones or you can select your specific country/region. You will notice different locations will have a different number. Find you location & save/remember your areas number. The numbers range from Zone 1 to Zone 15. Then once you’ve found your areas number you can purchase/grow the correct/recommended plants for the best results!! In my opinion it’s best to search your areas “Hardiness Zone Number” so you are familiar with it. Once you do then you can memorize your zones number for the future when purchasing new plants, receiving seedlings/clones, etc. It gives you the best idea of not only what kind of plants can/should be grown for your area, but also which type, species, subspecies, etc.is best for your area/zone AND the best time to plant, prune, harvest, etc. along with detailed information for how to beat care/store your plants during every season your area will experience!!

[@anyabarradas4069]

Great video. Very helpful. Wondering if you have any tips for training raspberries to grow straight?

[@peterschuh2733]

Love how you explain things, so a beginner like me can figure it out...one question....some of my primocanes are 10 feet long...should I be cutting them back, or just laying them out across my trellis?

[@casper1240]

I think ive finally got it !!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on, best of luck!

[@nikkijones9536]

Thank you...you make this easy! I’m going to say you’re🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Nikki! :-)

[@RobBertholf]

very useful thx

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Cheers, thanks for watching!

[@JessicaSmith-ex8mm]

Hi there! Thank you sooooo much for these in-depth instructions! I'm so grateful especially for the careful and deliberate -slow camera action so i can follow! I live in zone 8b and don't have a green house- if I'm propagating raspberries late summer (as in your tutorial for that) 1 gallon pots, will they survive heavy frost- been trending frost and heavy freeze at least one or twice last several years. Thanks in advance!

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Thanks Jessica... With really come temperature, you may have to group the pots together for protection and/or cover them. It all depends on the level of winter severity.

[@samasonedderman]

How I wish I found your channel LAST year! But never mind I've found you now. Thank you so much. I've watched other channels, including those specific to the U.K., I find yours especially easy to understand. Stella

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Awesome!! Thanks so much, I really do appreciate it! So happy to have you along for the journey. Share to all your fellow gardeners who could get value from this and bring them along for the ride! :-)

[@stevecooper3579]

thanks

[@beebob1279]

Thanks. Dad had raspberries when I was a kid. We just let the do there thing because we just thought they would take care of themselves. And they did. But, if I get to start raspberries next spring I want to have the right set up and understand the correct pruning for the berries I get.

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Right on Bob. Most times you can just leave these guys and they'll still produce. A little care here and there and you're good to go!

[@gardenerquest2070]

Very helpful and accessible to beginners. Thanks a lot! Could you please also explain if there is anything I can do to help my everbearing bush to produce the second crop earlier. I bought this variety at a local garden Center, so in theory it should produce within the season but the second crop is never ready by late Sept- early October, when it gets frosty. Is it just a variety or is it something about the conditions that I provide? Pls pardon my ignorance if this question sounds dumb, I am new to gardening.

[@JuiceBanger1]

In the UK we talk of summer and autumn bearing canes. I think your fall is our autumn

[@TheRipeTomatoFarms]

Yes, fall = autumn...