Am I too late to cut back?

myclayjungle · February 2023

These are my terribly neglected 2yr old, Autumn raspberry canes which I planned to put into the ground this year. I can see 1 has a tiny shoot starting. Am I too late to cut them back? If so, do I cut them right back to just above ground level?

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Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/uh/o9nyakwujh8a.jpg

JennyJ · February 2023

I would cut them back ASAP. They're obviously raring to go so they should shoot from ground level pretty quickly.

Busy-Lizzie · February 2023

Yes, I agree, cut them down, weed them and get them in the ground as soon as possible.

Fairygirl · February 2023

I agree too, and if you aren't able to get them in the ground, sort out the pots, refresh the soil they're in, and maybe re pot into bigger ones, depending on what they're like

war garden 572 · February 2023

you cut back only last years dead wood.
if cutback now you lose this years crop.

Topbird · February 2023

@war garden 572 - these are autumn (ie later) fruiting raspberries. They fruit on current season growth so all stems are cut right back to about 4" above ground.

BTW - Never really understood why they're called autumn fruiters - usually start harvesting mine (polka) in late July / early August - same with another variety grown previously. Think 'late fruiting' would be a better description.

Most books say to cut them back them late winter but I do mine as soon as they've finished in autumn otherwise the canes are whipping about all winter. They'll be fine if you do them now @myclayjungle - but you do need to sort out those pots😉😁

myclayjungle · February 2023

Thank you everyone for the advice. Yes- the pots are in an awful state! We've been renovating a derelict property and growing things in pots until the 8ft, overgrown jungle of a garden was cleared. Getting there now though, thanks to everyones advice.

Am I too late to cut back?

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