Caring for Raspberries

New Planting 

• Plant on elevated sites with well drained soils.

• Prepare the soil at least one year before planting.

• Eliminate all perennial weeds.

• Add 10-20 tons of manure per acre.

• Do a pre-plant soil test, and add nutrients if needed.

• Adjust soil pH to 5.8-6.5.

• Apply nitrogen (1.5 ounces/plant) when raspberries are 6 to 8 weeks old. Repeat later after the same period of time. This is done when soil organic matter is low during the first year.

• Dip cuttings or seedling roots into Galltrol-A solution when planting in soil that is infested with crown gall-causing organisms.

• Spread 4-6 inches of well-rotted saw dust or clean straw as mulch.

Established Plants

• Apply 2-4 ounces of ammonium nitrate per original plant every spring or alternatively use equivalent lower rates of 10-10-10 compound fertilizers.

• Ensure higher fertilizer rates in sandy soils and with older plants.

• In early August, large growers should take samples of newly expanded leaves for analysis of plant nutrients.

• Keep the area between rows weed free. This can also be achieved by seeding perennial grass or a mixture of grass and a legume as a cover crop.

• When cotrolling weeds around the plants, do not dig 2-3 inches deep to avoid root injury.

• Use trellis support to protect plants from wind injury.