Raspberries require Some TLC
Red raspberry fruit are not shiny and bear small white hairs.
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Blackberry fruits are shiny.
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Raspberry fruit have a hollow centre as their core remains on the stem.
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Raspberry Types: There are 3 kinds of raspberries: red, purple and black. Note that black raspberries and blackberries are not the same plant. Black raspberries have a hollow centre when the are plucked from the plant, however blackberries don’t have a hollow core. Their fruit is also glossy, but black raspberries are covered with tiny white hairs and are not shiny.
The difference between red raspberries and black raspberries are not just the colour of their fruit, but the length and habit of their stems. Red raspberry canes grow upright unlike black raspberry canes that bear long canes that sprawl along the ground.
There are two red raspberry types available. Cultivars that produce a single crop in early summer and everbearing ones that produce two crops, one in early summer and another in late summer into fall.
The canes of raspberries and blackberries live for a couple of years and then die. They flower and produce fruit during their second year. New shoots replace the old and arise from the base from the old canes and from the roots.
The difference between red raspberries and black raspberries are not just the colour of their fruit, but the length and habit of their stems. Red raspberry canes grow upright unlike black raspberry canes that bear long canes that sprawl along the ground.
There are two red raspberry types available. Cultivars that produce a single crop in early summer and everbearing ones that produce two crops, one in early summer and another in late summer into fall.
The canes of raspberries and blackberries live for a couple of years and then die. They flower and produce fruit during their second year. New shoots replace the old and arise from the base from the old canes and from the roots.
Grow raspberries in full sun, preferably on mounded soil.
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Raspberries are ideal candidates for raised beds.
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Location: Plant cane fruit where they will receive at least 6 hours of direct sun a day. Soil should drain well and contain plenty of organic matter. Note that cane fruit sends out new shoots from their roots away from the mother plants, so give them their own space to avoid them taking over.
Planting
They are better planted in raised beds to reduce the chance of them infiltrating other gardens. Space rows 6 feet apart and each plant 2 feet apart. Plant in individual holes or in furrows. Spread out their roots, then firm the soil around them and water generously. Cut back all the canes of red and blackberry plants to 6 inches. Remove any blossoms to allow plants to establish themselves. Cover the soil with 3 inches of mulch such as straw, woodchips or sawdust.
Planting
They are better planted in raised beds to reduce the chance of them infiltrating other gardens. Space rows 6 feet apart and each plant 2 feet apart. Plant in individual holes or in furrows. Spread out their roots, then firm the soil around them and water generously. Cut back all the canes of red and blackberry plants to 6 inches. Remove any blossoms to allow plants to establish themselves. Cover the soil with 3 inches of mulch such as straw, woodchips or sawdust.
These raspberry canes are yellow and are in need of some food.
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Water raspberries when they flower.
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Drip irrigation and soaker hoses keeps foliage dry.
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Fertilizing. Apply in spring along the rows but stay clear of placing on or right next to the stems as it may cause burning. Cane fruit benefit from an application of an inch of well-rotted manure as it’s an excellent source of organic matter that also provides nutrients.
Watering
The most critical time for water is when plants come into bloom and during periods of drought. Give them about an inch a week. Avoid watering in the fall as it promotes new growth than is susceptible to frost damage. Keep water off plants to avoid diseases and root rot. A drip system or soaker hoses are a good idea as it keeps the moisture close to the plant, which deters new canes from spreading.
Watering
The most critical time for water is when plants come into bloom and during periods of drought. Give them about an inch a week. Avoid watering in the fall as it promotes new growth than is susceptible to frost damage. Keep water off plants to avoid diseases and root rot. A drip system or soaker hoses are a good idea as it keeps the moisture close to the plant, which deters new canes from spreading.
These raspberries are trained along a post and wire system.
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Without proper training and supervision, raspberries will run amok.
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Providing Support
Purple and black raspberries don’t need support if they are pruned correctly, however, red raspberry canes benefit from being trained on a trellis. The most common method is the T bar system where posts are installed every 10 to 20 feet along the row. In the centre of the row, install a post with arms, like a cross. Stretch sturdy twine or galvanized wire along the sides of the row and attach to the ends of the cross arms for support. Add hooks of galvanized wire to form hooks between the posts for extra support.
Prevent Cane Fruit from Spreading
Cane fruits tend to spread where they are not wanted. Avoid watering beyond the rows as water encourages them to stray. For areas that receive plentiful rain, like the Pacific Northwest, grow cane fruit on raised beds to allow extra water to drain off. Another option is to install a root barrier typically used to control bamboo.
Purple and black raspberries don’t need support if they are pruned correctly, however, red raspberry canes benefit from being trained on a trellis. The most common method is the T bar system where posts are installed every 10 to 20 feet along the row. In the centre of the row, install a post with arms, like a cross. Stretch sturdy twine or galvanized wire along the sides of the row and attach to the ends of the cross arms for support. Add hooks of galvanized wire to form hooks between the posts for extra support.
Prevent Cane Fruit from Spreading
Cane fruits tend to spread where they are not wanted. Avoid watering beyond the rows as water encourages them to stray. For areas that receive plentiful rain, like the Pacific Northwest, grow cane fruit on raised beds to allow extra water to drain off. Another option is to install a root barrier typically used to control bamboo.
Remove canes that produced fruit after harvesting.
Pruning Red & Fall bearing Raspberries
Once the fruit has been harvested, cut back all the canes that bore fruit, but leave the ones that have not produced fruit as they will next year. Remove all weak, infected, small and dead canes to prevent the spread of disease and to increase yields. In spring, follow up and remove any tips of the canes damaged by winter and any weak, spindly, diseased and dead canes. Also dig up any canes that are out of bounds. In early spring, remove dead canes and shorten side branches keeping 8 to 10 buds.
Pruning Purple & Black Raspberries
In May or June, when new shoots are about 30 inches high, pinch off the tips of the canes to initiate side branches. Prune out any canes that have fruited after harvest. Cut back the side branches on blackberry canes to 12 inches.
Once the fruit has been harvested, cut back all the canes that bore fruit, but leave the ones that have not produced fruit as they will next year. Remove all weak, infected, small and dead canes to prevent the spread of disease and to increase yields. In spring, follow up and remove any tips of the canes damaged by winter and any weak, spindly, diseased and dead canes. Also dig up any canes that are out of bounds. In early spring, remove dead canes and shorten side branches keeping 8 to 10 buds.
Pruning Purple & Black Raspberries
In May or June, when new shoots are about 30 inches high, pinch off the tips of the canes to initiate side branches. Prune out any canes that have fruited after harvest. Cut back the side branches on blackberry canes to 12 inches.
Protect raspberry plants with a thick layer of straw over the winter.
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Evergreen boughs add an extra layer of protection.
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Winter Protection
In late fall, bend and bury canes under a few inches of soil or straw. Evergreen branches overtop add another layer of protection in cold climates.
In late fall, bend and bury canes under a few inches of soil or straw. Evergreen branches overtop add another layer of protection in cold climates.