How to Prune Blackberry Canes

Prune blackberry canes annually to improve the safety of your garden and the health of the plant. Untrimmed blackberry canes house rodents and snakes and they grow too thickly for a proper harvest. Wear gloves when pruning even thornless varieties of blackberry canes to avoid injury. Wait to prune the canes until after they have finished fruiting for the year.

Things You'll Need

• Hand pruning shears

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Cut out any dead or dying branches.

   • 2

     Cut out the branches that bore fruit this summer down to the root crown.

   • 3

     Trim the tops of any branches that are higher than 4 to 5 feet and cut all side branches to less than 18 inches long.

   • 4

     Heavily mulch the blackberries to hold moisture and help prevent weeds.