Raspberries

[Autumnwoman]

My raspberries are still fruiting with lots more to come. But the actual fruit is definitely past its best - sort of mushy when picked and the centre post in each raspberry (if you know what I mean) sometimes looks a bit mould. They might be ok for jam but not much else.

Is it ok to cut the whole lot back right now, even though the plant wants to keep fruiting?

It would depend on the variety. There are definite late cropping varieties which you would have to treat differently.RHS has good advice about this.
Personally I am ruthless and sometimes if I’m in garden tidy mode and have loppers In my hand I will be scanning the garden to see what I can hack down next.

@Celticdawn5

It would depend on the variety. There are definite late cropping varieties which you would have to treat differently.RHS has good advice about this. Personally I am ruthless and sometimes if I’m in garden tidy mode and have loppers In my hand I will be scanning the garden to see what I can hack down next.

Thank you. I feel guilty as they're still flowering and fruiting but the fruit is pretty gross at this stage.

Consulted with husband who says do not cut all right back. Cut out this years fruiting shoots down to the ground (which can be identified because they will be turning brown ) leave this years green shoots ( you might have to tie up) as these will bear the fruit for next year. Only applies to autumn raspberries which he thinks you must have.
You can see why my gung ho gardening is in conflict with his more considered approach.
It did get a bit complicated re: current fruiting not being very nice because he said to do the above ‘soon’ and when Iasked about the current fruit he said ‘make jam’ (not helpful)

@Celticdawn5 That's really kind of you. All the current canes are fruiting (have already chopped back the ones that are done).

It has been fruiting non-stop since early July, and it feels mean to chop it back whilst still fruiting but I'm getting maybe 10 substandard raspberries every 4 days and it doesn't feel worth the effort! Pics attached.

Autumn fruting raspberries fruit on new wood each year, but I usually cut mine down to the ground in February before spring growth rather than now.

Polka is an autumn fruiting variety so can all be cut back each year after fruiting and before new growth. If you're not enjoying the berries, I'd leave them for the birds and cut back early next year.

Summer fruiting raspberries fruit on second year wood, so you'd need to cut down some but not all to ensure you have fruit each year.

Thank you so much.

Summer fruiting raspberries fruit on second year wood, so you'd need to cut down some but not all to ensure you have fruit each year. Cut down the canes which have fruited, leave he new canes. It's easy tell which is which from the colour.

Sorry, yes useful clarification @MereDintofPandiculation.

All of the current canes have fruited or are in the process of fruiting.

@Autumnwoman

All of the current canes have fruited or are in the process of fruiting.

Cut them all back www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=148

Celticdawn's DH was thinking of summer fruiters when he gave his advice.

I always cut autumn raspberry canes down on guy Fawkes night.

Is last weeks gardeners world available? Monty Don was doing his raspberries and covered all the bases.

There was also another item about successful dahlia growing, oh rub salt in the wound Monty why don’t you.