When to Prune Blackberry Bushes

[@FarmAlarm]

Be sure to watch all of our BLACKBERRY GROWING videos goo.gl/dtQLqB Also Check out our Amazon affiliate store! amazon.com/shop/farmalarm

[@jackagain8346]

What variety do you grow? Is Triple Crown a vining or erect plant? Thanks

[@hardnackfarms1736]

We have blackberries 5 different varieties. I like them a lot.

[@vickiemontague4476]

Very helpful, thank you

[@bartperry4930]

I wanted to post a note now that two years have passed. I am now up to over 300 plants of my own. Learned to prune, transplant, grow from clippings... and it all started here. Now I plant in pots for other people myself.

[@FarmAlarm]

That sounds great. Thanks for the feedback 😀. Where abouts are you located?

[@iamthewelcher]

Well that's the kinda feedback ya want !!

[@lambsquartersfarm]

Can you recommend resources on growing from clippings? I have struggled with this

[@lydiavowels560]

This is the best, clear and straightforward video to help prune correctly. Thanks

[@melvinsnyder7042]

We live on Idaho and have had our blackberries for a couple years and never trimmed them properly. This video answers so many questions Thank you.

[@vickiphillips7910]

Thank you for showing close-ups of the canes. Very helpful.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Agreed

[@pinballio67]

Thank you. New to this berry stuff.

[@vickyannpaintingwithoils]

Haha. I loved the chicken video bomb. My chickens are always interested in what I am doing. Lots of stories they tell. Great video! I got my first black berry and red raspberry plants this year.

[@MaryKayPerris]

Thanks - I am going out to prune my two now!! You are a great help - esp. showing me how to distinguish old and new canes!

[@melissamike6959]

I had no idea the canes were only good for 3 years! I will have to remember this when I plant mine.

[@FarmAlarm]

Actually they are only good for TWO Years.. The first year they are vegetative and grow, and the Second year the Produce the Fruit. Then cut them down after harvest, before the third year. Thanks for watching!

[@annm8680]

I am going to prune wild blackberries along my fence line in North Georgia. End of Feb. I think this will help. Thanks so much.

[@whitehouseonthehill]

Good topic, thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Jake! Let me know when you want me to bring you some blackberry plants.

[@erinray3038]

​@FarmAlarm where are you located?

[@eardw2251]

You make an excellent instructional video sir, very concise, very confident and very enjoyable to watch. Thank you.

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks so much. Glad I was able to help.

[@FlorBantique]

Thank you so much ❤ this video gives me more ideas on how to prune my blackberry.

[@FarmAlarm]

You’re welcome 😊

[@chrisrageNJ]

I’ve been digging up wild bramble berries for a few years now and I have around 15 different varieties of berries, from around 8 or 9 blackberry varieties, to wineberries, black raspberries, and a few different red raspberry varieties. I’ve got huge patches of red raspberries and some thornless blackberries mixed in. I’ve been concentrating on cleaning up the patches and putting them in trellised boxes so they’re easier to control and harvest. I’ve been experimenting with different pruning methods and I’m excited to try some of these

[@markkristynichols845]

I have watched all of your blackberry plants and forget if you have ever talked about weevils cuz we have them😳. Thanks, Kristy also in Missouri! West Plains zone 6b 😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@19bishop56]

Just noticed you’re finding this now, like me. My problem is I’m in Central California and they stay green most the winter. So I’m going to just have at it anyway. My grapes are ready to prune too, they are dormant. So grateful to live in America, wherever we are, we can enjoy planting what we can eat. Hope you have a wonderful harvest. I know this video sure helped me!

[@beckydollins9924]

This is such a good video! So informative and we are looking forward to our March pruning and our summer harvest!!!

[@allynmoore2829]

I am starting my first blackberry plants here in Alaska. I have ten that I got from Salty Acers in NC. Good information for later on when they are full grown.

[@SunnySouthernCA]

Great video. I have 6 blackberry Vines about 4 years old and they produced enough berries last year to make a lot of jam. I have always trimmed here and there, but did not know to literally chop the old dark vines down. There are flowers and blackberries are growing. I will trim off the dead vines today. Thanks for a great video. What the hell is a chigger??? 😲

[@sheilaazzara9032]

love your tutorials

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Shelia

[@littlecreekhomestead4086]

Great tips!!! I wish we were down there already so I could get some of those cains from you, but we are not there yet....maybe next year!!!. I'll be sharing this video so spread the tips around!!~Vicki~

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Vicki! Next year for sure. Where are you guys moving too?

[@littlecreekhomestead4086]

Farm Alarm we will be in Texas County next month!! Mrs. Farm Alarm knows :)

[@AgainsttheGrainHomestead]

Would a person do the EXACT same process for wild raspberry plants?

[@alboggs7561]

I like the cap u have on I learn a lot

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks

[@toneyjohnson8910]

Thanks for the info you have helped me grow better blackberries and my wife loves them. Thanks

[@FarmAlarm]

Well thank you very much, I'm very glad we could help. And you're welcome

[@ahulmand]

I followed your technique and it payed off big. 👍

[@jamessteffens8337]

Thanks for sharing never grew blackberries .

[@ahulmand]

Hi there. How best to manage rednecked borer beetle? Do you use sealer of any kind to patch trimmed bark from beetles?

[@Mike-qe1ds]

10:09 😅 I did not realize that my blackberry plants got out of control into the other garden's. Being stressed with too many plants I hand pulled them out. Will the plants that were pulled out grow this season with some roots still in the ground? I will trim the red stems to about 4 foot in March in the true blackberry patch.

[@elizabethjones5580]

Nov '21 we transplanted a Thornless blackberry plant. I produced a handful of berries. So how should I prune them before this spring? Brown cane cut down. Purple and and green? Also fertilizer is the spring?

[@SteveGivhan]

Love your videos!

[@classicalgarden]

What about pruning in the fall? I'm overwhelmed with tall new and old canes.

[@eugenetswong]

Thank you. I'm hoping to start foraging soon, and hope to learn all that I can.

[@HighLeeCoyote]

Great video--very useful information. Do the chickens help keep the pests down around the canes, or do they eat more berries than their help is worth?

[@ALanLovesJesus]

I live in south Louisiana. My blackberry plants are dying. Is it ok to trim them as they die?

[@johac7637]

We are in Arizona, chill hours are our issue, hopefully our Prime Ark primacanes work for us here..

[@leroysover]

Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@FarmAlarm]

You're welcome. Thanks for the comment.

[@nathanellison594]

I live in washington state. We have an insane amount of wild blackberry vines that just grow on top of eachother every year. No shortage of berries here!

[@christinesforza8600]

Very nice tutorial! I have blackberries sprouting out of my flower bed and want to move them to a "patch" so I can enjoy the beautiful fruit. The only place I have for this new patch is in partial shade, so I am hoping that will work since around my area, I see blackberries growing at the edge of woods where they are getting some shade. Fingers crossed. Great video. Thank you!

[@keramiroberts6695]

I'm no expert.... But ours grow fantastically up a dark wall we have. Loads of flowers and fruit too. Hope yours are growing lovely!

[@brendacopsey2746]

Appreciate you and your knowledge.

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Brenda. I appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@Mica-f5e]

Thanks for the tips!

[@FarmAlarm]

You're welcome

[@lenorarussell9753]

Can you propagate a new plant from the trimming

[@mikec1371]

Thank you, I am gonna prune mine now!

[@BonnieWalker-sm4ei]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@FarmAlarm]

Glad it was helpful!

[@mlr2263]

Very interesting and informative video.

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks ML R

[@smileyhousefarm6606]

Good to know! Just put some starts into pots a few weeks ago. Hoping they do well and we are able to take them to MO with us when we move there. And, Yep them girls were definitely supervising you. Waiting to see if you maybe had any snacks for them. Lol. You know, because HUMAN=FOOD to them. 🐔🐓

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Charity. Those blackberries should be fine in pots for the move, just be sure to get them into good Missouri soil pretty quick. What part of MO are you moving to?

[@smileyhousefarm6606]

Farm Alarm Camden County.

[@wendythibodeau9213]

So informational!! Thank you!

[@ahulmand]

I have cane bore beetles infested my blackberry bush. Other then trimming and burning or throwing away cut branches, what can I do to get rid of them?

[@blstrahan041]

Curious how you fend off deer? Do they not like to snack on your greens?

[@changingwindsfarm2087]

Very informative as always! We have some blackberry plants coming from Baker Creek and have watched all of your Blackberry videos (more than once, lol) Shared and liked this video.

[@FarmAlarm]

Wow we are very humbled that you would watch her blackberry videos that much. Best of luck to your blackberry growing. Let us know how that turns out please!

[@lalynobsuna591]

what do you fertilize it with? when is the right time to fertilize?

[@shirleyclayton7237]

would you compost deadstock rather than burn them?

[@LisaBoesen_ItsYourSeason]

Very nice! This is the best video on pruning blackberries. Thanks!

[@FarmAlarm]

Hey thanks so much Lisa! Check out our most popular video on BlackBerry growing, it might have some more tips for you :-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@estebancarrasco8086]

Hola saludos desde Chile.podrias decirme que variedad tiene yo tengo algo de navajo aun no cosecho son plantas nuevas

[@FarmAlarm]

Hola a Chile. Gracias por ver. La variedad de mora que cultivo se llama mora Apache.

[@estebancarrasco8086]

@@FarmAlarm muchas gracias por responder y están hermosas esas plantas. También tengo un huerto tenía frambuesa Pero les pase rastra y subió el precio😅🤪 ahora solo queda grosellas también cerezos buena semana

[@FarmAlarm]

De nada. Disfruta de esos cerezos. ¡Qué tengas un lindo día! Espero traducir todo eso correctamente. 😀😀😀

[@warrenward3630]

I was wondering why we had few berries last year. Thanks!

[@FarmAlarm]

Glad to help

[@neiceystauffer9085]

that’s why i’m here lol we just purchased a home that produced last yr but this yr it hadn’t ☹️

[@yolandeawood9684]

So I placed my blackberries stalks along a fence line. I have trained them to go over the fence and over an arbor. I have done some trimming. It is Aug now, end of season. So should my task be to trim all branches over the arbor, taller than 5 feet, shoots that are growing into the lawn? But what about all that fresh looking green shoots, should I be tough and trim those also? I guess I am like you and I hate chopping that that looks healthy. Just need marching (trimming) orders. ;)

[@TheFitmar]

Thanks for video. Looks very good. Is 11 of December. Just now I get an allotment and there is the blackberries which needs to be prune. I never did this. How I said video is very good and it is good guide but I want to ask you about timing. Can I do it now or...???? 🤔

[@robertwren8878]

Any time but if your unsure wait for the buds to appear in early spring. You can prune anytime to keep it in shape even while its growing just think weed and dont worry!

[@crawfordhomestead8872]

Good to know information, we are trying raspberries this year!

[@FarmAlarm]

I love raspberries!

[@dianewhite9651]

So helpful and clearly explained!

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Diane

[@txman951]

Thanks for the great video. I'm a first time grower and mine are producing fruit for the first time, some of the side laterals are real long and growing along the ground. Basically, just prune out the dead canes, keep them before 4-5 ft tall, and don't let the side laterals more than 18" long? Are you continually pruning the side laterals or just pruning while the plant is dormant?

[@FarmAlarm]

Youre welcome. and thanks for watching. That is correct, 4-5 ft and 18 inches. Prune whenever! just keep them in shape!

[@katherinespangenberg2829]

Thanks do much for the info!!

[@Lynn-eq4ii]

Thanks for this, very helpful

[@FarmAlarm]

Happy to help!

[@jamesbishop2315]

Great info! Thanks!

[@sandrarichardson2713]

Really nicely done. Good information. So would February be too early to get this pruning done? I live in zone 8b. Thanks and Jesus bless.

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks so much. Prune anytime. Watch this video too kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@keramiroberts6695]

Crikey, video is great but I'm so confused with ours. Any comments or hell gratefully received. We have thornless blackberries growing against what was a horrible, dark, pebbledash (next doors garage) in our yard. Our yard is now green and that wall needed a bully to manage growing up on the trellises. So we plated 3 blackberries to which scrambled up in its first year then last year shoots between 50cm and 150 cm came forward put and produced so many flowers and berries. The wall is now covered and green year round. So I've branches growing up, still green... Then the fruited branches growing out from the wall. So.... How do I prune? My gut said to leave the berries we didn't get and birds have enjoyed. So it's now March and there are shoots showing.... Any thoughts on how and where to prune? Thanks

[@FarmAlarm]

This video will explain all you need to know. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@MissTiffMischief]

Ohhhh, I messed up. I got a blackberry on clearance a few years ago for 75c. I didn't expect anything. Last year, I couldn't keep up with all the fruit! Unfortunately, it's thorny. I have a love/hate relationship with it. I pruned way too early and, I think, backwards. (Thorns made me angry!) I now have a thornless, but squirrels beat me to all but ONE fruit! They don't bother the thorned plant, tho. I don't want to deal with messy netting. Maybe a pvc frame for netting? How do you have all those exposed and still get fruit?? I'd love to move the thorned plant elsewhere and take my chances on its survival, but I won't get fruit from the other. Help!

[@lindamulkins2227]

Thanks for sharing

[@florin5236]

can you tell me what kind of blackberrys plant varieties you have ? I am trying to choose a nice sweet and aromatic one for my back yard.Thank-you!

[@FarmAlarm]

We grow Apache blackberries. Check out this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@florin5236]

@@FarmAlarm Thank-you!

[@pattishelton3169]

Thanks great video! Hope I can do this Saturday.

[@FarmAlarm]

Let us know how it turns out Patti

[@flipside3155]

I'm confused about the cane borer beetles. I had a bad jnfestatikn this year jn my raspberries, but they were in the new year canes. Not old ones.

[@FarmAlarm]

Keeping old canes around can attract the cane borer beetles. But more than likely they will get into new growth.

[@shaedigruttolo3421]

Can I relocate my blackberries? We’ve had them two years.

[@poodledaddles1091]

Very educational!

[@cpaulpsy]

Thank you for the lessons. Best I've seen.

[@FarmAlarm]

Hey thanks! Be sure to check out our video *6 tips on successful blackberry growing* kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@trunativerootsfarm4922]

Great topic I learned alot.

[@FarmAlarm]

Glad we could help Neghos .

[@MYPERMACULTUREGARDEN]

Thank you so much for sharing!!! I learned lot !!!!

[@FarmAlarm]

Glad you learned something. Thanks for watching!

[@royhoco5748]

are the spring tip cuttings suitable for rooting?

[@FarmAlarm]

I never have success with rooting cuttings.. but I've had others comment and say that they do it.

[@killerkane1957]

Grown wild transplants for years. You trimmed last year canes at about 5 feet and laterals from reaching out of the row. Does that stop next seasons growth essentially where you trimmed as far as fruit production goes? Or will the plants vegetate more AND bear fruit on this early season growth?

[@gazellecarlson6543]

my first year growing them..

[@FarmAlarm]

Hope you do well with your new blackberries

[@ratandmonkey2982]

what's with all the solar lights on the posts ? Do you pick the berries in the dark?

[@FarmAlarm]

We put those on the posts because the blackberries are scared of the dark lol. Actually the lights are just for fun. 😃

[@sergeytyagay6027]

hi guys are you from Canada

[@scarletNbloom]

Great video! I bought a blackberry plant last year and it's producing fruit this year and I'm glad I decided to check out how to prepare it to be successful again next year! Thanks so much! One question. Does the plant put up the same number of fruit baring...bearing (sp?) stalks each year? Or does it ever start to grow more stalks over time? I'm just wondering if I should invest in another plant of if I'll have plenty in the next couple years?

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks for the question. Don't look at it as if the new plants frow from the old plant, but the new comes from the root system. The root system grows over time and new plants pop up more and more. So yes, if you start with 4 plants, it won't just keep growing 4 new shoots (plants) year after year. It will start popping up new shoots all over the place.

[@scarletNbloom]

@FarmAlarm awesome! Thanks so much! I tried to just google the answer beforehand and it was totally misunderstanding and them I remembered I had just watched your video a couple days ago, and thought I'd ask. I really appreciate it!

[@mikmmahon2231]

Brilliant!!!

[@markkristynichols845]

And I need a good pair of pruners, what do you recommend? ❤️ Kristy again in WP😃🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@tlejardin7269]

Wild rabbits chewed all of my thornless blackberries to about 6 inches above the ground. This would have been their second year so I was looking forward to fruit😫 I guess there won’t be any flowering\fruit production this year on the new canes? Thanks!

[@FarmAlarm]

Looks like it's time to start getting rid of rabbits..

[@ahulmand]

Would fencing have worked?

[@naserbukhare3669]

What if u let a trailing primacane grow as long as it can, ofcourse tying it to trellis at reasonable height. Then clipping the tips of each side lateral. And then cutting off that entire cane after its done fruiting. Dont u think this will increase yiels instead of cutting a new primacane at 5 ft height. Plz respond quick as its 5th january here in pakistan and i dont want loose fruiting from my only blackberry plant.i want to learn better so i started with one plant instead of dealing with too many. Thanks. Nick

[@FarmAlarm]

I personally think if you prune them shorter, it will produce higher yield, better fruit, and bigger fruit. I think if you let them grow longer it will put more energy into growing the plant instead of growing the fruit.

[@kenthiggins1738]

Did not prune this spring. Left it all from last year. What is my best plan to do now Thanks

[@FarmAlarm]

Prune now

[@janebailey4748]

Helpful video! I hope! We have always had wild blackberries, huge canes, 19 feet high, bird nests inside the mess. We have never pruned them correctly, only cutting the huge canes when they attack us. Read: bloody! I could some canes were older than others, but didn't know about first year and second year growth and fruit. Like fruit trees! But the deer eat the lower half of the leaves, so are they preventing fruit? This year I went in and hacked the entire bush, super old and dead canes. I wish I could attach a photo! So this year, we should just expect green vines of growth, and no berries, right? Next year, these green vines should turn reddish, bearing fruit. And more green vines coming. The year after next, prune the brown, dead out. Each year, also prune each vine back to 5 ft or so. After fruit production of course. Sound right? We want to build fencing around. Do you advise thinning and training bushes/vines along fencing through the middle of a bush to create rows for easier picking and pruning?

[@FarmAlarm]

That sounds like a great plan, and yes all is correct. Trellis on a fence will be a good idea. Also check out this video --> kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@christinehaslam9480]

Hi, Its fall here... Is it ok to prune them some now? They have gotten out of control! LoL Or should I wait until spring? The viney branches are like 8ft long... Also, they gave us so many blackberries this year. So, does that mean, they wont bear fruit, again this year? Thanks:)

[@FarmAlarm]

Watch this. It will clear things up kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@jsdsstuff6219]

Great video, and great timing cuz I'm heading outdoors to do this now. BTW.....what is the music in your video???

[@FarmAlarm]

We are so glad you were able to learn something. We love sharing our tips and tricks with others. Thanks so much for watching. We will be putting some more blackberry videos out soon. I will get back with you on what song we used.

[@AutumnOaksFarm]

What time of the year do you do transfers. As wet as we have been recently is there a chance of fungus problems?

[@FarmAlarm]

It depends what you are transplanting exactly. If you are planting a brand new shoot that just popped up in the spring, I recommend transplanting it as soon as it pops up. But as far as a second-year plant, they are good to transplant while dormant. So anytime late winter is fine. But if you are worried about it being too wet you can wait until late April. You just do not want it blooming a bunch. Or it can go into shock.

[@rbjordan]

It's approaching the end of August here and my semi-erect "Navajo" Blackberry plants are no longer producing fruit, and they are growing like crazy. Can I prune them now or wait until early Spring

[@FarmAlarm]

Prune anytime. This video here will give you good tips kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXOQm5WfidqYb68

[@myronallen9788]

What happens if your bush gets cut to early will it regrow

[@FarmAlarm]

In my experience, you can cut them at anytime.

[@alarry31]

Does still count for wild blackberry’s too

[@FarmAlarm]

Yes

[@wildoutdoors2346]

Nice tip

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks Cowboy!

[@EarthMamaMsNatural]

Can you propagate runners? My 3rd yr. plant is sending out runners and it seems like I should be able to turn them into new babies. How would I do this?

[@FarmAlarm]

Dig those runners up and plant them back into the row. Check out our video called 6 tips on growing blackberries

[@Irishjay-gu5pb]

Awesome video, super informative!!

[@FarmAlarm]

Thanks, I'm glad that you were able to glean some information from our videos. Be sure to check out our *6 tips video* that we have on blackberries. It is our best one.

[@dubapocalypse]

do your stalks not have thorns?

[@FarmAlarm]

Correct, thornless

[@tonyedward6909]

This is the 2nd year for my plant it's over 6 feet, should I prune in the 2nd year?

[@FarmAlarm]

Yes, prune now, prune anytime.

[@tedtriche407]

I have a couple of plants that only produce very small berries. Most of the other plants have berries about 1 inch or larger. Should I cull these out?

[@FarmAlarm]

I would suggest to just cull them out. And replace them with new shoots that pop up from your other plants.

[@allanbonnieguffey5634]

Thanks for the helpful information. We just planted some blackberries last year.

[@FarmAlarm]

You're Welcome Bonnie. Thanks for the feedback

[@johnwachter6975]

Can old canes be composted?

[@FarmAlarm]

I guess so... But they can attract cane borer beetles. I'm sure there is a million other things worth composting, so my recommendation is: no. Thanks for the question 😃

[@Screamingpinesfarm]

Here in northern MN they grow wild abundently however i will be pruning them to make picking easy (er) and to help with the bloodied arms. Ha Ha Why wouldn"t you prun in the fall? Have a great day!

[@FarmAlarm]

Ouch bloodied arms! And that is exactly why we grow tame blackberries, no thorns LOL. Yes actually I should have turned them in the fall. We were just too busy. But anytime when they are dormant is fine. You have a great day also Wes.