How to Move Raspberry Plants

Raspberries are one of the easier fruits to grow, and they produce lots of delicious fruit that's perfect for jams, pies or eating fresh. However, raspberry brambles spread very easily and tend to grow too thick; they often need to be thinned out. Move your overgrown raspberry plants to expand your patch in a different direction, or share your extra raspberry plants with other gardeners. At times, it may be necessary to move your raspberry plants to a location with better growing conditions.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pruning shears or lawnmower Shovel or hand trowel Compost Mulch

1. Cut back the raspberry canes in the late fall, after they have finished fruiting--following a few light frosts, but before any significant snowfall. Use pruning shears to cut back small patches, or a lawnmower for larger patches. Cut the raspberry canes back to 4 to 6 inches above the ground. Cover the raspberry patch with a thick layer of straw or other mulch. (Cover all raspberry plants, not just the ones you wish to transplant.)

2. Choose a spot to transplant your raspberries. Remove any weeds and test the soil to make sure it is disease-free. Raspberries grow best in full sun, in rich, well-draining soil.

3. Use a shovel or hand trowel to dig up raspberry canes in the early spring. Choose new shoots that came up the year before, and gently separate the roots from the mother plant.

4. Replant your raspberry plants as soon as possible. It's best to plant them on the same day that you dig them up, but you can also pot them with some dirt and keep them watered in a cool place for a week or two.

5. Dig a hole and bury the raspberry transplant at the same depth it was growing at before. Backfill the hole with compost and soil. Cover the area with mulch to keep down weeds and maintain good moisture levels. Water very well.

Tips & Warnings

• In climates with mild winters, transplant raspberry canes in the late fall or into the winter, as long as the ground isn't frozen. Move your raspberry plants late in the day, so that the canes won't be stressed by harsh sunlight. If necessary, dig up your raspberry canes in the fall, keep them over the winter, and replant them in the spring. Cover the roots with soil, sand or wood chips and store in a cool, dark place that is protected from freezing--such as a garage, basement or root cellar. Water the plants occasionally to keep them from drying out.

References

• Transplanting Raspberries
• Questions on Raspberries