Raspberries are unusual because their roots are perennial and long-lasting, but their canes only live for two years. Because stems die after two seasons, they need to be removed after they bear fruit. When to prune red raspberries depends on whether your plants are summer-bearing or fall-bearing. If your raspberry plants produce two crops in the late summer and early fall, they are fall-bearing. If they produce only one crop in the summer, they are summer-bearing. Pruning will help keep your raspberries healthy and productive, and prevent them from becoming unruly.
Instructions
1. Remove any canes that look weak, sick or damaged in March or April for both summer-bearing and fall-bearing plants. Use sharp garden shears to make clean cuts at the base of the damaged canes. Leave the thickest, healthiest canes intact, but prune 1 to 2 inches off their tips. Healthy canes should be spaced about 6 inches apart when your pruning is complete. Throw away the cut canes and tips; do not leave them in the garden or they will attract mold and pests.
2. Prune your raspberries a second time in late summer, after they stop producing fruit. Remove any canes that produced berries that summer.
3. Remove the top third of fall-bearing canes after they produce their fall crop. Leave the bottom portion of the cane; it will produce berries the following summer.
