Autumn is when berry gardeners set up next year's crop. The fruit is finished and the soil is still warm, so it is the ideal time to prune, plant and tidy. Here is a practical checklist, with links to the detailed guides for each job.
Prune what has finished fruiting
Blackberries and other cane fruit that have finished cropping can be cut back and the new canes tied in. See my guide on how to prune blackberries. Summer and autumn raspberries are pruned differently, which I explain in summer vs autumn raspberry pruning.
Tidy the strawberry bed
Clear dead leaves, remove any diseased material, and deal with unwanted runners. Good tidying reduces the pests and rot that overwinter, and my guide to keeping pests off strawberries has more.
Plant bare-root fruit
Autumn and winter, while the plants are dormant, is the best time to plant bare-root berries. See my month-by-month planting calendar, and my guide to planting bare-root raspberry canes.
Take cuttings
Hardwood cuttings taken now cost nothing and can give you new plants. My guide to propagating berry bushes from cuttings covers the method.
Protect pots
Pots can freeze harder than open ground. Check drainage, lift them off the floor and shelter them from the worst of the frost. My guide to growing berries in pots has more.
Mulch and feed
A layer of well-rotted compost or bark around the base of your bushes in autumn feeds the soil, keeps weeds down and protects the roots from the worst of the cold. Keep it clear of the stems themselves. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds late in the year, because soft new growth is easily damaged by frost. Blueberries need a mulch suited to acid-loving plants, so avoid ordinary garden compost around them.
Check supports and ties
Autumn winds can loosen posts and wires. Check the supports for your cane fruit, and replace any worn ties before winter storms arrive.
Order your plants
Popular varieties sell out, so if you are planning new bare-root fruit for winter, order early. My guides to buying blackcurrants and buying raspberry canes can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I prune in autumn?
Cane fruit that has finished fruiting, such as blackberries, can be cut back and the new canes tied in.
When can I plant bare-root berries?
From late autumn through winter, while the plants are dormant and the ground is not frozen or waterlogged.
Do berry plants in pots need protection?
Pots can freeze more easily than open ground, so check drainage and shelter them from hard frost.
