Table of Contents

Planting

Raspberries need a fertile neutral soil to crop well (a pH of 6.0-7.5 is ideal) with good drainage in full sun. With summer fruiting raspberries, two pairs of horizontal wires, 60cm (2ft) and 1.2m (4ft) above ground, will be required to support the fruit-bearing canes in future years. It is not always necessary to support autumn fruiting varieties as fruit is produced on self-supporting canes.

Plant your canes as soon as possible after receipt. Should weather conditions be adverse (i.e. if the ground is frozen or too wet to plant), then the canes should be temporarily heeled in until conditions improve. Dig a hole or shallow trench, lay the canes at an oblique angle and cover the roots loosely with sufficient soil or compost so that no roots are exposed to the air.

Improve the soil structure by thorough digging before planting and if possible mix well rotted manure or compost into the top soil. If the soil is heavy or prone to waterlogging, a raised bed should be constructed.

Soak the roots in water for 1-2 hours, then plant your canes 45cm (18in) apart in the row with the roots well spread out to the depth indicated by the soil mark just above the roots on the main stem, or up to 1cm (½in) deeper. Tread firmly and water-in thoroughly. If making several rows allow 1.5m (5ft) between them.

Watering

In very dry weather water the canes thoroughly once a week, especially during their first spring and summer.

Weeding & Mulching

Keep the area around the canes free of weeds, particularly during their first year. An annual mulch of well rotted compost will greatly improve moisture retention and soil structure, and help suppress unwanted weeds.

Pruning

SUMMER FRUITING VARIETIES – To encourage vigorous new growth and help establishment cut all stems back to 30cm (1ft) above ground at time of planting. In future years your fruit will come on the previous season's canes which then die back to ground level. To prune therefore in August/September just cut out the canes that have just fruited and train in the new canes, tying them to the support wires from where they will produce their fruiting spurs the following summer.

AUTUMN FRUITING VARIETIES – Cut back your canes to 30cm (1ft) above ground at planting time. In future years your fruit will come in late summer and autumn on the cane that grew earlier the same year, following which it dies back. To prune therefore in winter just cut back all cane to ground level, clearing the way for the new cane to grow and fruit in the following year.

Feeding

Feed liberally in spring using Fruit Feed.

Pests & Diseases

Raspberries are generally trouble free but watch out for damage to the fruit from the raspberry beetle. If troublesome this may be controlled by installing raspberry beetle traps. Any chemicals should be used strictly as per the manufacturers instructions.

Further Information

For detailed information refer to R.H.S. Growing Fruit by Harry Baker. Useful information can also be found on the RHS website.