Very overgrown raspberries

[noisycrows]

I've just moved into a new house and in the garden is a very overgrown raspberry bush, with maybe 20-30 canes in a big mess. It looks like the previous owners just trimmed the tops off and didn't cut them back to the ground. There are a few green shoots appearing on some canes and it also has a few mummified, mouldy raspberries clinging on!

I don't know if it's summer or autumn fruiting, so should I just cut the whole thing down to the ground? Or maybe just leave the canes with a green buds?

[nickdub]

I'd leave it- see how it goes this year and then decide based on whether it fruits OK or not. A lot of times raspberries get virus problems and so fruit pitifully if left, others go on for years and fruit well.

If you do decide to keep it dig the clump up in the Autumn after the leaves have fallen, split it up and replant somewhere else in fresh ground. Watch out for perennial weeds hidden among the roots.

[Bren In Pots]

Some more good advice here on this thread

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...es_100922.html

[noisycrows]

Thankyou both. Yes, I'm in no urgency to move them right now (the garden needs a lot of work!) so I could just leave them and see what happens, then split and move them when I know what to do with the garden. They might be totally useless. I just thought a few bonus raspberries would be nice before I get the garden sorted!

If there's green growth on some canes now, then are they likely to be summer-fruiting? I guess I could cut down the few canes that have the mouldy, shrivilled raspberries on from last year though?

[Scarlet]

Just go through the lot and every brown cane snap off at the base. They will be obvious when you start doing it. Use VCs boot method. Bend it over and stick your boot on it. Anything with green buds leave.

[noisycrows]

Just go through the lot and every brown cane snap off at the base. They will be obvious when you start doing it. Use VCs boot method. Bend it over and stick your boot on it. Anything with green buds leave.

It's that overgrown I doubt I could get a toe in, let alone a boot! I know what you mean though, I'll give it a go, thanks.

And erm...who or what is VC? Other than Victoria Cross I have no idea.

[veggiechicken]

Its me ...............message too short, like me.

[Scarlet]

It's that overgrown I doubt I could get a toe in, let alone a boot! I know what you mean though, I'll give it a go, thanks.D

Once you start, especially if it is very over grown and not been pruned for a few years. The spent canes will come out quickly. It shouldn't be a major job.

[Mark_Riga]

As they have mummified fruit on it's likely they are autumn fruiting. I think they should be called spring and autumn fruiting as they will give another crop of fruit in spring on the canes that fruited last autumn. These canes can then be cut out in summer. If their stems are smooth, they could be Joan J which are the best.

[noisycrows]

Thanks for the help everyone, I now have a plan of action!

[Logunner]

So it's just me that hacks everything back and hopes for the best...

But I like a clean slate lol