Time to Prune

[jvs]

I got out to do some pruning this week.  My Fruit Trees and Berry Bushes needed it in most cases.

Around here Pruning time is in the dead of winter, when the the plants are dormant life is mostly in the roots.  Light Fertilizing will start on the beginning of next month for some of my producers.

Spinach and Peas can go in - in another month or so.

[jvs]

Raspberrys and Blackberrys grow on 2, 3 and possibly 4 yr canes.  Removing 1/3 of your oldest growing canes every year should give you plenty of berries.   I fertilize after harvest for the next years push.

Generally speaking for fruit trees (actually any tree), clear out any branch that grows inward towards the center or upwards.  Also remove the weakest of two crossing branches.  

On other branches look for the fruit buds and prune off one segment out, leaving the newest growth at the end of the main branch alone.   Keep an eye out for too many fruit buds on one branch.  They could be thinned out.