What to Prune in March in Ontario: Small Fruits & Garden Shrubs

March is the perfect time for pruning many fruit plants and shrubs in Southern Ontario. While plants are still dormant, pruning encourages stronger growth, better fruit production, and healthier plants throughout the growing season.

If you’re preparing your garden for spring, here are the small fruits and shrubs that benefit most from March pruning.

Pruning Raspberries in Early Spring

Raspberries produce best when old canes are removed each year.

In March:

Remove dead canes that fruited last year
Thin remaining canes for airflow
Cut tall canes to about 4–5 feet

Proper pruning helps produce larger berries and healthier plants.

Pruning Blueberry Bushes

Blueberries benefit from yearly pruning to keep fruit production high.

What to remove:

Dead or damaged branches
Thin, twiggy growth
The oldest canes near the base

Healthy blueberry bushes should contain a mix of young and mature wood.

Pruning Grapevines

Grapes require heavy pruning each year to remain productive.

During late winter:

Remove up to 80–90% of last year’s growth
Leave only the strongest fruiting canes
Maintain a clear structure along your trellis

This ensures larger grape clusters and healthier vines.

Shrubs to Prune in March

Several common landscape shrubs should also be pruned before spring growth begins.

Good candidates include:

Panicle hydrangeas (Ex: Limelight, Little Lime, Pinky Winky, Vanilla Strawberry, Quick Fire, Firelight)
Smooth hydrangeas (Ex: Annabelle, Incrediball, Invincibelle Limetta)
Spirea
Hardy shrub roses

Pruning now encourages fuller plants and better flowering later in the season.

Shrubs to Avoid Pruning in March

Do not prune spring-flowering shrubs yet, as they bloom on old wood.

Wait until after flowering for:

Lilacs
Forsythia
Weigela
Flowering quince

Pruning these too early will remove this year’s flowers.

Get Your Garden Ready for Spring

March pruning is one of the best ways to prepare your garden for a productive growing season.

Healthy pruning leads to:

Better fruit yields
Stronger shrubs
Improved plant health

Visit Ridgeview Garden Centre for pruning tools, fruit plants, shrubs, and expert gardening advice to help your garden thrive this spring.