Pruning

[BrianNN5]

Last autumn I planted some new bare root blackberry, blackcurrant and redcurrant bushes. I've not had any currants this summer and there were just a few blackberries on the end of some long stems.

I have read up on pruning more mature bushes but do not know if I need to do any pruning this winter on any of these bushes?

Advice would be much appreciated.

[rustylady]

I wouldn't have thought that any of them would need pruning yet. Did they put on much growth this year?

[Capsid]

For the blackberries, you should have had some new growth from the ground, this will be next year's fruiting branches, so don't prune them.

As rustylady says, let the red and black currants get established then maybe next year you can prune to get an open goblet shape.

[Potstubsdustbins]

With my blackberries I always cut back any stem that has borne fruit to ground level and then tie in the new growth ready for next year.

Colin

[northepaul]

You'll be amazed when the blackberries DO fruit, as they are very prolific and reliable, although they do try to take over the whole area if you let them!!