Growing raspberries is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh fruit at an affordable cost. Raspberries are easy to grow, but they do require preparation and care to get started.
Ready to start growing your own raspberries? Read our guide below to learn how to create a thriving raspberry garden.
Types of Raspberries
There are two types of raspberries: summer-bearing and ever-bearing.
The main difference between them is when they produce fruit. Summer-bearing varieties produce a large crop in one season, while ever-bearing varieties produce small crops in the spring and a larger crop in the fall.
When to Plant Raspberries
Raspberry plants should be planted in the spring when the soil has warmed up and can be worked. This can be anywhere from February to May, depending on your location and the weather.
Raspberries are a perennial crop, meaning they will last for years if properly cared for. Once established, they produce fruit year after year with little to no effort or maintenance required by you.
Where to Plant Raspberries
Raspberries need a lot of sun, so it’s best to plant your raspberry bushes in an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight per day.
If possible, find a spot where they get full sun from morning to evening. Raspberries need water, but not an excessive amount because they can’t tolerate standing water or waterlogged soil. They like well-drained soil and will grow well in acidic soil with plenty of organic matter added.
Planting raspberries near other plants will help them thrive by providing shade from the hot sun during the day.
Raspberries are heavy feeders, so make sure you add plenty of nutrients when planting them and provide them with regular fertilization throughout their lifespan with compost tea or an organic liquid fertilizer.
Planting Raspberries
Raspberry plants should be spaced out with room to grow. Planting more than six plants in one hole can be problematic. The more you plant in one space, the less room there is for each individual plant to grow and thrive.
Between the overcrowding of soil and the lack of sunlight, raspberry bushes that are planted too close together will produce fewer berries and have an overall shorter lifespan. It’s best to stick with just three or four plants per planting hole so that your raspberry patch will remain healthy and productive for years to come.
When planting raspberries, plants should be spaced 2-3 feet apart in rows that are 6 feet apart, or you can grow them against a sturdy trellis or fence.
Each row of plants should contain a single variety of raspberry. Planting raspberries in this manner makes it easier to keep the plants watered, and it also means that you can easily identify which raspberries belong to which variety.
If you would like to grow them using only one trellis, then spacing should be closer together at 4-5 feet apart.
In either case (trellises or fences), ensure that there is decent space between each plant for its branches to grow so that they do not become entangled with each other as they grow larger over time.
Add Aluminum Tags to Complex Gardens
Aluminum tags are a convenient way to identify different varieties of fruit. If you’re planning to grow different varieties of raspberries or have a large garden, you may benefit from adding aluminum tags to your garden.
The tag should be visible and accessible, so it doesn’t get lost when you’re pruning the plants. Tags should also be durable so that they are able to withstand the weather and won’t rust or mold over time.
Aluminum is a good choice for these tags because it won’t rust or break down over time, but it can still be written on with permanent markers without fading away.
Irrigate Your Raspberry Plants Seasonally
Mulch around the raspberries each year with compost in order to retain moisture and keep weeds at bay. You should mulch around the plants every year in spring, once they’ve leafed out.
Once established, raspberry plants can survive without irrigation unless there is a drought. They grow best in areas with warm summers and mild winters.
If you live in an area that gets a lot of rainfall, you may want to use drip irrigation so the water doesn’t run off before the roots absorb it. You will also need to make sure that your soil drains well so that excess water does not collect around your raspberry plants’ roots or cause them to rot.
Prune Raspberry Plants
Most raspberry varieties need to be pruned each year to encourage new growth and eliminate dead canes. As seasons pass, you may want to renovate your garden over time to ensure that your plants remain healthy and productive.
If you’re growing raspberries on a trellis, start by pruning the canes that have fruited. Then prune the canes that didn’t fruit, followed by those that are not growing well and/or are too tall to fit under your trellis.
After harvest, prune out the fruiting stems by cutting them back to the ground. This encourages new growth and will make the plant much more productive next year. You’ll know which stems are fruiting because they will be dark red and covered with tiny fruit.
If you want even more raspberries next season, now is also a good time to fertilize your plants. However, if your raspberry patch shows signs of disease or over-fertilization (leaves turn yellow or brown), refrain from fertilizing for the time being.
Lifespan of Raspberry Plants
Raspberries are perennial plants, which means they will come back year after year. They have a lifespan of about ten years and then need to be replaced. If you want to continue growing raspberries, you can repurpose the old plant by cutting it down to ground level and digging up its roots with a spade or pitchfork. You can then replant them as new raspberry plants in another part of your yard.
If you want to grow raspberries along with other berries, other perennial plants that may interest you include: blackberries, blueberries, mulberry trees, elderberry bushes (also called elderflowers), and currants.
How to Grow Raspberries: Final thoughts
Raspberries are a perennial plant, which means they’ll grow for multiple years. The only maintenance that’s required is pruning and harvesting the fruit. They’re easy to grow, making them a great choice for new gardeners or experienced gardeners alike.
Raspberries are also an excellent source of vitamins A, B1 and B2 (thiamin), riboflavin, and niacin, as well as minerals including iron and potassium. They’re also high in antioxidants that help fight free radicals.
If you follow the steps provided in this guide, you will have delicious fruit to enjoy for years to come.
As you enjoy fresh raspberries from your garden along with other produce, download the Lil’ Broc app in order to monitor the shelf life of your produce and ensure that it is all eaten while fresh.