Raspberries are Waking Up for Spring

Even though it snowed today (come on, sunshine!), I did manage to get outside earlier this week. I kicked off my shoes and even peeled off a few layers as the sun warmed things up. Later, when I showed up at a friend’s house and they saw my arms, they asked, “What happened to you?!” We had a good laugh—because while I may have been pruning my raspberry canes, they definitely got me, too!

After swapping tips, I figured I’d pass some along here in case your patch needs a spring cleanup too.

When to Prune: Late winter to early spring is ideal—when the plants are still dormant. Pruning now helps prevent disease and sets the stage for strong new growth.

How to Prune:

• Cut old canes (the woody, gray ones) all the way to the ground.

• Keep the newer canes—they’re the ones that will bear fruit. You can snip a little off the top to stimulate their growth.

• Thin the canes so there’s about 6–8 inches of space between canes for good airflow and sun exposure. Its easy to dig them up, put them in a little pot and pass along to a friend.

• If you’re unsure which ones to keep, look for signs of life—little buds or bright green beneath the bark.

Last year, my patch didn’t produce much. They say a consistently cold winter with decent snow cover can lead to better summer yields—so I’ve got high hopes this year! And a word to the wise when working in the raspberry patch, wear gloves and long sleeves.