Berry bush help

[Chef_uk]

Hi peeps, when we moved in we were lucky enough to inherit a nice row of berry bushes fruiting loads in our first summer. Afterwards we cut it back and last summers yield was pitiful. So where are we going wrong and what can we do to help and support them from now and throughout the summer months?

Here's some pictures of how they are today.

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[FB.]

The buds that will flower in 2011 were formed in summer 2010.
If you prune carelessly in winter, you can easily cut off the next seasons crop.

A skilled prune involves shaping and thinning the bush/tree with as few cuts as possible. "Haircuts" with a hedge trimmer or shears will cut off a lot of the buds that would bear fruit.

If in doubt and you want fruit: don't prune.

If growth is too vigorous (which is sometimes a cause of poor fruiting), stop feeding/watering and prune the soft new growth hard in July.

Winter pruning invigorates but reduces fruitfulness. Summer pruning reduces vigour but increases fruitfulness.

[Chef_uk]

Brilliant thanks. Will let it get carried away for a couple of months

[Aberdeenplotter]

Hi Chef,

get yourself a good book and do your pruning after reading up on the variety you are dealing with.

I use the RHS book, FRUIT by Harry Baker ISBN 0 85533 193 3. There are 9 copies of this book today on Amazon from £0.01 +£2.80 postage. Well worth that even if they may be a bit dog eared.


With blackberrys and hybrids, next year's fruit grows on this years growth, so try to tie all this years growth to one side of the bush. Next year, tie all the new growth in to the other side of the bush. That system will allow you to easily prune out all growth that has fruited without risking life and limb and leave you ready to tie in the new growth the following season.