Q&A Master Gardeners with the

When should I prune raspberries to ensure a good harvest this year? Did I miss that timing? What other plants should be tended to in spring to ensure successful production this season?

Raspberries should be pruned in late winter or early spring (February - April). We recommend leaving 4 - 6 canes per square foot at this time. For the ease of picking, a raspberry patch will be between 1 - 3 feet wide; if the patch is wider, consider cutting back or pulling out canes that widen the patch too much. When pruning out canes, cut them at the base. First, remove canes that have bulges in them-- these are usually caused by cane borers, and the internal damage causes the canes to collapse once they become heavy with fruit. Second, remove all canes that have pale, dried-out looking bark, as those have fruited and will not yield fruit again. Next, remove the thinnest canes. Ideally you will be left with 4-6 thick, sturdy canes. If those canes have little remnants of fruit on their tips, you may cut the tips back to encourage more branching.

Elderberry is another berry crop that can be pruned in the same time period. Cut out canes that are 3 years old and over. Inspect the bark on the remaining canes, removing areas with cankers (sunken, discolored lesions) and canes that have holes in them. When cutting back diseased canes such as these, look into the cross-section of the pruning cut. If you observe browning or uneven tissue in the pruning cut, continue cutting back until it is uniform.

Berry plants that should be pruned before their leaves emerge include: blueberry, currant and gooseberry, seaberry, and pawpaw.

Plan

Give the gift of sweet treats. What better way to highlight mom’s sweetness than with some delicious treats made just for her? Whether you decide to whip up some homemade confections in the kitchen or visit a nearby store for something decadent, mom will no doubt appreciate the chance to indulge on her big day.

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Compacted soil can result from any number of activities, including walking on a lawn. When soil on a lawn is compacted, grass roots might not receive the water, oxygen and nutrients they need to grow in strong. The can lead to weak lawns that are vulnerable to various issues.

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SIGNS OF WINTER LAWN

Wilted grass: Many things can cause grass to wilt over the course of winter, so homeowners may have to put on their sleuth’s cap to determine why grass that was healthy as recently as late fall is now wilted as the spring bloom begins. Grass that’s adjacent to walkways and driveways might have wilted due to the application of deicing solutions. Such products can prevent the formation of ice on driveways and walkways. However, when they’re tracked onto the grass by people or animals or blown there by winter winds, grass can wilt. A deep watering in spring can flush any lingering solution from the lawn. In future winters, homeowners can be as careful as possible when applying de-icing solutions, making a concerted effort to avoid spreading any onto the grass and limited applications to areas of the driveway and walkways that are not close to the grass.

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May 2: “Spring Fling” - Lively Run Acres Cheese Tasting & Baby Goats, Seneca Lake Cruise & Luncheon

May 15: Mother’s Day Celebration - Ventosa Vineyards wine tasting and lunch & tour Seneca Falls sites

June 15: Lockport Locks Erie Canal Cruise & Black North Inn Luncheon

June 21: Summertime Americana in Cooperstown - Sightseeing Cruise, lunch and BHOF or Fenimore Art Museum

June 27: Kenny Rogers Tribute Show at Seneca Allegany Casino

July 19: Fun in the Finger Lakes - Granger Homestead, Yacht Club Lunch & Canandaigua Lady Cruise

July 26: “Little Women” at Bristol Valley Playhouse & Avon Inn Luncheon

August 9: “Driving Miss Daisy” at Bristol Valley Playhouse & Avon Inn Luncheon

August 15: Yakov Smirnoff Show at Seneca Niagara Casino

August 22: “Beautiful” the Carole King Musical at Merry Go Round & Sherwood Inn Luncheon

August 28: The Underground Railroad Tour in Niagara Falls

Sept. 14: “Old Fashioned Classic Country Music” Show by Donna Minnoe @ the Golden Horseshoe (Moravia, NY)

Sept. 20: “Law & Oiler” Tour - Penn Brad Oil Museum, lunch & Elliot Ness Museum (Bradford, PA)

Oct. 3: “Chorus Line” at Merry Go Round Playhouse & Luncheon featuring a chicken barbecue and soft ice cream!