Pruning newly planted fruit bushes?

[mary-belle]

Hi,

I planted 5 raspberry and 3 currant plants before Christmas (bare root) and I am unsure on pruning.

I think I read something about cutting raspbrerry canes down to an inch or so and currants to 3 buds?

Can't seem to find that info now. What would you reccommend?

Thanks, I am pretty new to this but willing to learn!

Mary-belle

[Aberdeenplotter]

Hi Mary - Belle,

prune your raspberries down to 9 -12 inches above soil level. For Blackcurrants prune them down to 2 inches above soil level.

If you want some free blackcurrant bushes, make a deep slit in the soil with your spade and stick in one of the bits pruned off. This time next year you will have a super new plant.

You can check this info in the RHS book, FRUIT by Harry Baker ISBN 0 85533 193 3. There were copies of this book earlier this week on Amazon for £0.01 +£2.80 postage. Well worth that even if they may be a bit dog eared.

[mary-belle]

Cheers, I knew I needed to do something with them!