Blackberry bush pruning

[Nykied]

When we moved into our rented house last August, there was a massive blackberry bush in the garden which gave us masses of blackberries.

Not knowing anything about gardening then, I didn't do any cutting it back in winter.

Now, it looks half dead with some new shoots coming through. Some of the branches look completely dead. Can I chop those off, or will that damage the new shoots?

And might the ones that look dead now, still get new growth on them?

Any help much appreciated!

[rustylady]

Blackberries are a bit like raspberries - the fruit will be borne on canes that grew last year. If you can tell the difference, cut out the ones that fruited last year. It won't do any harm to thin it out a bit anyway.

[Nykied]

That's going to go on my list for next weekend then, thanks )