Blackberry & Raspberry 101
Raspberry plants can fruit on different types of canes, and these are categorized into primocane and floricane. Both primocane (first year) fruiting and floricane (second year) fruiting raspberries have both primocanes and floricanes growing from the plant after the first year. Floricane fruiting varieties have primocanes that grow throughout the first year and do not produce fruit. Primocane fruiting varieties have primocanes that produce flowers and fruit the first year, and then the remaining cane will overwinter and fruit again the second year. Pruning needs differ for these types of plants to be productive.
Primocane:
Primocane fruiting raspberries, commonly called Everbearing raspberries, produce flowers and fruit on first year canes. Primocane varieties will produce a moderate crop in June and a much larger crop from late August until frost. Primocane varieties can be mowed to the ground after harvest and require less trellising than June bearing varieties.
Floricane:
Floricane fruiting raspberries, or June-bearing, produce flowers and fruit on second year canes. Their fruit ripens in June or July, depending on the location and conditions. These varieties will require a permanent trellis or support to grow on.
Blackberries require more space between the plants than Raspberries. Plant trailing Blackberries at least 6’ apart. The semi-erect and u