Useful Tips To Growing Delicious Raspberries In Your Home Garden

Farhan Sheikh
by Farhan Sheikh
Raspberries are delicious, versatile and easy to grow in the home garden. One of the best things about raspberries, besides eating them, is the fact that its a perennial plant that means you can plant them once and enjoy the fruits of your labor for years to come(pruning is needed). Follow this easy guide to growing raspberries and get started on the gardening road to growing berries.
Planting Location:


Select a sunny location to start your raspberry patch. The site should receive at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.


Avoid low-lying areas where water drainage is poor and collect a soil sample to have tested at your local County Extension Office or garden supply center. Ideal soil pH for raspberry plants is 6.0 to 6.5. Add suggested soil amendments and till the soil to the depth of 12 inches.
Building a Trellis


As mentioned previously, a trellis system should be built prior to planting raspberry canes if they are the trailing variety. Start by creating a line of fence posts using treated lumber that is about 6 feet tall. Growing berries will spread out and produce fruit for many years, so treated lumber is needed to prevent wood rot. Set posts in the ground 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep for stability and space them 10-20 feet apart in a straight row.
Pruning and Training


Pruning isn’t needed the first year and only prune away the dying canes after the plant has produced its crop of berries the second season and every season thereafter.
Fertilize:


Growing raspberry plants need to be fertilized twice a year: once in April and again in July. Scatter 2 ounces of granulated 10-10-10 fertilize on the soil around the base of each plant, being careful not to touch any part of the plant with the fertilize. Water the plants well after pruning and fertilizing.
Frequently asked questions
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 2 comments
  • I LOVE raspberries! They made my list on "What I love about July". They're currently deliciously taking over my perennial garden so I plan to move them later this summer. Your guide is timely, helpful, and appreciated!
  • Farhan Sheikh Farhan Sheikh on Sep 17, 2016
    Hoping you have a wonderful harvest this summer!
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