How to Plant a Raspberry is Easy

How to plant a raspberry is easy to do and gives you year over year returns. A raspberry will spread it’s roots quite easily. Given quality soil and consistent watering, in no time a little plant can become a patch of its own. Many people, myself included obtained their initial raspberry cuttings for free from other gardeners who’s raspberry patch has taken over.

Where to Plant

How to plant a raspberry is easy, and like most fruits thrive in sunny locations. Being a very hardy plant , raspberry will still grow well even in partially shaded areas. Rule of thumb number one is more sun equals more fruit. Raspberries also prefer a well drained soil and to be sheltered from heavy winds. They should never be planted alongside tomatoes or other nightshades. It is also not recommended to plant similar crops like blackberries along side the raspberry to prevent the spread of any soil borne fungal diseases.

How to Plant

Once your spot is chosen, you will want to be able to improve the soil by adding composted manure or worm castings. Dig a hole the depth of your potted raspberry and twice the size around. I always ensure to place a layer of worm castings on the floor of my hole prior to placing the plant in. Then it is time to fill in the rest, one should choose the highest quality soil you have available to give your raspberries ample nutrients. The extra width of broken soil will make it easier for the roots of your new plant to spread and provide you more raspberries. Raspberries will spread quite easily on their own , so ensure you give them ample space to stretch (3 to 4′ between plants).

Suckers and Cuttings

Suckers are the new growth that starts away from the main plant. These can be removed and transplanted by digging around the base of the sucker and using a spade or shovel cut through the stem under the soil. Ensure you keep the new cutting moist after transplant to ensure rooting. Some would say resist propagating your raspberries from an existing patch due to the risk of infected soil. I however am not one of these people. Propagating your plants is the most logical way of starting your garden or increasing your harvest with minimal cost associated. Many experienced gardeners have massive raspberry bushes that have had years of growth and will freely give these cuttings away. To avoid any danger or risk to existing plants provide the new cuttings their own area or garden box. Any disease can be easily managed in its own area.