QUESTION: When and how do I prune raspberries and blackberries?

ANSWER: The first year in the ground, the brambles, as raspberries and blackberries are called, will not produce fruit.  They produce fruiting canes in one year, bear fruit the next, and then die (biennial).  New canes grow to take their place.

Prune out the dead and dying canes after they bear fruit, on both blackberries and raspberries.  Leave the new canes.  These will bear fruit next year.

Tie and train blackberries to a trellis. Tip prune them to encourage branching.  The stronger the plant, the more canes and length of canes it can support.  If the plant is doing poorly, remove several canes.

To get ready for winter, lay raspberries on the ground and cover with a mulch, to keep the canes from freezing.  In spring, prune them while they are on the ground to the length that will fit on your trellis wires. Then carefully lift and attach them to the trellis.