[harry]

I've inherited some raspberry canes with my new allotment and have been told i should cut them down to the soil is this right?

[tode]

Yes, if they're Autum fruiting, no if Summer fruiting.  Where'd you get em from ?

[Kristen]

If you can see the remnants (the little bit that is left when you pull the Raspberry off) of this year's fruit on them then cut them down.  If not they are the canes of a Summer fruiting Raspberry that will bear fruit next Summer.

[Paul Plots]

Once upon a time I used to think pruning raspberries was so confusing what with primocane and florocane... but the advice below is so simple and straight-forward even I couldn't get confused... 

[harry]

Yes, if they're Autum fruiting, no if Summer fruiting.  Where'd you get em from ?

They were already on the allotment but i noticed there was still some fruit on so i guess they must be autum. Thanks for your help

[beansticks]

I only grow summer varieties,however my plot neighbour grows Autumn Bliss and cuts them down to about 2" in February.

[Chris C]

when should summer rasps be cut back ?  we recently put two summer and one autum set of raspberry canes into our new plot at the moment all are at a height of approx 10 inchs, one of the summer rasps now has new buds growning on it is this normal for this time of year ?

[beansticks]

Summer fruiting varieties should be cut down once they have finished fruiting,the new canes should then be tied in to horizontal wires or staked.I use wires,avoid planting summer and autumn ones together,it makes pruning confusing.Yes buds at this time of year is not uncommon,they will stay dormant untill spring.

[Chris C]

we planted the two summer ones approx 3 ft apart and the autum one about10 ft away, not put any stakes and wire in yet as i thought it would be best to wait until next year rather then leave the out over this winter.

[beansticks]

we planted the two summer ones approx 3 ft apart and the autum one about10 ft away, not put any stakes and wire in yet as i thought it would be best to wait until next year rather then leave the out over this winter.

Sounds good to me.

[DavidT]

No matter which they are, if the canes have a silvery look to them, cut them out.