Pruning Blackberry Plants

Pruning is an important part of proper edible plant care, but many people find the task overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be! Keep these things in mind:

  • You can have confidence in knowing that not everyone will prune the exact same way (even the experts).
  • There are several reasons to prune: to maintain the size and shape of your plant, stimulate strong growth, and overall fruit quality.

NOTE: This is part 8 in a series of 11 articles. For a complete background on how to grow blackberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning.

Pruning blackberry plants
Video preview for How to Prune Blackberries - Everbearing Blackberries How to Prune Blackberries - Everbearing Blackberries

Pruning Tips

  • You may want to stake or trellis-train your berry plants to keep them more compact and upright.
  • Pruning may vary depending on the blackberry variety you plant. Most berry bushes bear only once on 2-year-old canes. After the canes have produced fruit, you should prune them back to the ground to leave room for the stronger, 1-year-old canes.
  • Some pruning should be done every spring to keep the plants from becoming tangled and to improve their ability to bear. Prune trailing blackberries in the spring for good growth habits. Prune each main cane back to 3-4’. Then cut back side branches to about 12”, leaving five or six buds on each. Erect and semi-erect varieties should be tipped or cut back to 3-4’ in midsummer. This forces lateral branches to emerge from buds below this point.
  • Later in the fall, after they are dormant, cut back the laterals to 16-18”. Fruit will be borne on these laterals the following summer (after which, the canes should then be removed to make room for next season’s growth).

Additional Notes

  • First-year or juvenile canes of erect and semi-erect varieties may be trailing. Let them grow, and they will produce fruit the next year. After the fruit is harvested, prune the canes back to the ground to make room for strong, erect, new canes.
  • Everbearers fruit twice on the same cane. These canes will fruit at the tip during the fall and then bear again the following spring farther down the canes. If one large crop is desired, cut the canes back to the ground after the fall crop. This will result in a single, large crop the following fall.
  • A good reference book, such as Pruning Made Easy, can answer questions and guide you through the pruning process.

Latest Articles & Videos

Rooted in ServiceRooted in Service The Stark Bro's Story of Leadership in Gardening Excellence At Stark Bro’s, we’re proud to be veteran-owned and veteran-operated, bringing the values of service and dedication directly into the heart of gardening. With over 200 years of history, we know that the strongest roots grow from a commitment to quality, integrity, and community. Our leadership upholds these principles, guiding every plant we nurture and every customer we serve. Here, we don’t just grow fruit trees; we grow relationships and legacy.
Harvest basket full of applesHarvest basket full of apples Preparing Your Garden for a Successful Fall and Winter As summer comes to an end, it’s time to give your fruit trees and berry plants the care they need to thrive through the colder months. Proper fall maintenance not only protects your plants from winter damage but also lays the foundation for healthy growth come spring. Here’s your fall checklist to help ensure a smooth transition into the next season.
Preparing a garlic bedPreparing a garlic bed How to Prep a Garlic Bed for Planting Preparing a garlic bed properly is essential for growing healthy, productive garlic plants. Garlic is usually planted in the fall, as it needs a cold period to establish strong roots before spring growth. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your garlic bed for planting.
citrus treescitrus trees How to Care for Citrus Trees in Containers & Successfully Grow Citrus Indoors Imagine filling your home with the vibrant scent of citrus blossoms, while enjoying fresh fruit all year long—even if you live outside the ideal growing zones for citrus! Growing citrus in containers makes this possible, allowing you to bring the beauty and flavor of citrus into any climate. With optimal care, citrus trees can bloom and bear fruit multiple times a year, adding both color, fragrance and flavor to your living space.

Tools & Supplies for Blackberry Plants