Pruning - Haskaps

Spring is the time for really looking at your haskaps (a.k.a. honeyberries) and doing some light pruning.  Haskaps are great because they are extremely hardy so they can be one of the first fruits to prune without the risk of a spring storm causing stress.  The true experts on haskaps are the researchers at the University of Saskatchewan.  Here they give a good overview of how easy they are to prune.

As always, when pruning consider a few beneficial practices to ensure that your bushes remain healthy.

1.  Prune with clean and sharp pruners.
2.  Keep a disinfectant in a spray bottle handy.  A 10% solution of bleach or rubbing alcohol works well to spray on between bushes.
3.  Always begin with the 3Ds of pruning...Dead, Diseased, Damaged.  Once you take care of those branches, you are well on your way to having a bumper crops of haskaps.

On May 10, 2025, we are hosting the Ardrossan Recreation and Agriculture Society in conjunction with the Strathcona County Library Bookmobile for a pruning workshop.  If you're looking for some hands on information on pruning, come join us at 10:00 on the farm.