Cutting summer raspberries

Remove old canes for next year's growth, says Ruth

- Ruth Hayes

WHILE several of our plants have struggled to be at their best this summer, our raspberries have flourished fantastically and given us their best crop yet.

The autumn ones are currently fruiting well, but the summer ones provided us with weeks of delicious, juicy, pest-free berries.

Sadly, the fruited summer canes are looking tired and ragged, and need to be removed, cut back right down to the ground.

As well as making the raspberry patch look tidier, this also allows more light and water to this year's juvenile canes that will mature and fruit next summer.

 

Simply work your way along the row, cutting back old stems with sharp secateurs, taking care you don't nick any healthy new growth. Remember to wear gloves to avoid injury from thorns.