How to Plant Red Raspberries
Red raspberries can be tricky to grow but eating berries seconds after they have been picked makes the hassle worthwhile. There are many red raspberry cultivars to choose from. They can be summer or ever bearing, with erect canes or trailing canes and the berries' flavor can vary slightly from sweet to tart. Most raspberries ripen in early to mid summer depending on the variety, while ever bearing ripen in early summer and again in early fall. With a little planning you can have fresh raspberries all summer long. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Compost or well-rotted manure Hoe, shovel or tiller Raspberry plants, any variety hardy to your area Pruning shears Trellis Mulch
Instructions
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Planting red raspberries
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1
Choose a spot in full sun on the south side of buildings or on a south-facing slope. Soil needs to be well-drained with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Red raspberries need to be planted at least 300 feet from other bramble fruit and in soil where tomatoes, eggplants, peppers and potatoes have not grown for 4 years.
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2
Remove all vegetation, rocks and other obstructions from the proposed raspberry bed during the fall before planting red raspberries.
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3
Till compost or well rotted manure into the soil. The soil should be loose and easy to work with.
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4
Plant in early spring after all danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole slightly deeper than the level the raspberries where planted at the nursery. Gently tamp soil around the roots and canes to eliminate air pockets. Space red raspberries 3 feet apart in rows 10 feet apart.
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5
Prune the canes to 6 inches above soil level.
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6
Water your raspberries until the soil is wet but before the soil becomes saturated.
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7
Apply mulch around the red raspberries to a depth of 3 to 4 inches.
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Tips & Warnings
Prepare the soil where you will be planting the red raspberries and erect a trellising system prior to purchasing the raspberries.
To avoid disease do not plant your red raspberries near other brambles. Always purchase certified virus-free raspberries.
