Successful Raspberry Growing
Fresh, juicy red raspberries cost big bucks at the store.
For a small investment in time, you can have homegrown berries every spring.
Choose the Right Raspberry Variety for Your Area
Special Raspberries for Southern States
California – Meeker, Newburgh, Sumner, Tulameen, August Red, Heritage, Indian Summer, Redwing, September, Summit
North Carolina – Caroline, Dormanred, Joan J, Latham, Natahala
Tennessee – Autumn Bliss, Heritage, Latham, Ruby, Titan
Virginia – Caroline, Heritage, Himbo Top, Joan J, Josephine
Alabama Heritage, Southland
Florida – not recommended
Texas – not recommended
Planting
Where should I plant my raspberries?
- away from wild berries
- avoid areas where tomatoes, potatoes or eggplants have recently grown
- on north facing slope if spring frost is a problem
- any soil type except extremely sandy or lots of clay.
- avoid areas with many weeds, unless you kill or remove them.
- well drained soil, especially in late winter.
- full sun
- a space that can be used for 5 to 15 years
How Do I Prepare Raised Beds for Raspberries?
In many gardens, it’s easier to make raised beds because of roots or poor soil.
Ideally, the bed should have loose soil 24 inches deep. A minimum of 6 to 8 inches is required for berries.
Avoid filling the bed with only ordinary garden or top soil, because the surface will crust over and the bed will dry out faster.
Add potting mix, garden compost, composted manure and a bit of sand. Mix 1 part organic matter (peat moss, compost, etc.) to 1 part sand or perlite to 2 parts soil.
Can I Grow Raspberries in Pots?
Yes.
Select a dwarf variety and plant in a 5 gallon pot or barrel.
Use potting soil.
The potted raspberry may require more water and fertilizer than the in ground or bedded plants. If the weather freezes, the pot should be be moved into a garage.
How About Growing in the Ground?
Planting will take two years.
Year One – test the soil to find out what nutrients need to be added.
Improve the soil with either a cover crop, compost or manure.
Year Two – In the spring, spread 25 pounds of 10-10-10 garden fertilizer per 1,000 square feet. Or enough organic material for two pounds each of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium per 1,000 square feet.
How Do I Plant Raspberries?
- Plant as early as the ground can be worked or when plants are available.
- Choose a well drained, sunny spot.
- Space 2 feet between plants.
- A second row should be eight feet away.
- Dig the hole wide enough that the roots can spread.
- Back fill to the depth the cane or plant was in the nursery.
- DON’T pour fertilizer in the hole. Fertilizer should be mixed into the soil.
- Water the plants.
- Mulch several inches deep.
Getting the most berries
Provide 1-2 inches of water once a week and up to 4 during harvest. Soak the ground out 10 to 12 inches from the plant. Water in the morning to prevent leaf diseases.
Fertilize with a 10-10-10 product, but not directly in the planting hole or on the roots. Sprinkle 3 to 4 inches away.
Prune correctly. Cut out old non-fruiting canes and the weak new canes. Thin so all canes get sunlight and air flow.
How do I Prune Raspberries?
- Prune in late winter or early spring
- narrow the row to 2 feet
- get rid of dead canes
- thin to 3 or 4 canes per linear foot
- attach canes to the trellis
How do I prepare raspberries for winter?
Apply mulch
Put up a rabbit proof fence
Leave trimming of canes until late winter so the plant can absorb the carbohydrates
If you take care of your raspberries, you can look forward to tons of berries.
A 100 foot row can produce 100 to 150 pints of fruit!
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