Raspberry Guide: Growing Tips

Raspberry Planting Guide

     Raspberries should be planted in full sun under normal garden conditions. Raspberries prefer a well-drained spot and do best if kept weeded. Some gardeners provide a light straw mulch to help keep the weeds down. Mulch should not be too thick or new canes will be unable to push their way up through it. An inch or two should do it. Mulching gives a double benefit  to your raspberries as it will eventually compost and feed the canes. It is a good idea to add a layer of fresh mulch each year in  spring. Even with mulch, weeding is needed to keep nasty running roots like quack grass from taking over. Raspberries will reward your weeding and mulching efforts with taller canes and larger berries.

     Raspberries are not heavy feeders, however they enjoy fluffy, well drained, nutritious soil in full sun. How can you tell if your raspberries are begging for a little more fertilizer? If the canes are robust, near to the height described for their cultivar and producing large berries, they are doing fine. If they are shorter than they should be, slowing down on berry production or berries are small, then the canes probably need a good weeding and/or fertilizing.

They are easy peasy to grow and many varieties are extremely zone hardy for our area. No garden should be without one! 

Happy growing!

Sabados Greenhouse Team