How to prune a blackberry bush?

[merlinsmate]

How do I prune a blackberry bush? The bush grows up over a north facing fence to about 10 foot and is now too high. However , this year it has produced the most fruit ever, with still more to come. How can I tidy it up but still get a good crop next year?

[foxyferret]

dug out a gardening book for this one. It says when the canes have finished fruiting cut them all down to ground level. Space out and tie in the new canes up the centre and out like a fan shape, repeat the process in subsequent years. (If this goes wrong, blame Alan Titchmarsh) You can also bend down shoot tips and bury them in the soil, held in place with a peg or piece of wire. It says do this in July but you may not be too late. Eventually a shoot will emerge forming a new plant which can be detached the following spring with its own roots and planted wherever you want it.

[merlinsmate]

Thank you for the help, much appreciated. I feel I know what to do now. Cheers.