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How to Grow Raspberries: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Raspberries are delicious and easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginner gardeners. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Choosing a Variety
There are two main types of raspberries: summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting. Summer-fruiting raspberries produce fruit on the previous year’s growth, while autumn-fruiting raspberries produce fruit on the current season’s growth. Choose the type that best suits your climate and growing conditions.
Planting Raspberries
- Plant raspberry canes in well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade.
- Space canes 18 inches apart with 6 feet between rows.
- Cover the roots with about 2 inches of soil and firm around them gently.
- For summer-fruiting raspberries, add supports to tie the canes to as they grow.
Caring for Raspberries
- Fertilize raspberries in spring with an organic fertilizer.
- Water deeply during dry spells, but avoid overwatering.
- Mulch around plants to keep their roots moist and suppress weeds.
Pruning Raspberries
- Summer-fruiting raspberries: Prune out weak shoots and aim for a spacing of 6 inches between new canes. After fruiting, cut to soil level all canes that have carried fruit.
- Autumn-fruiting raspberries: Cut down to the ground at the end of the season. New canes will grow in spring and flower and fruit the same year.
Harvesting Raspberries
- Raspberries are ripe when they are deep red and easily detach from the stem.
- Pick raspberries gently to avoid crushing them.
- Store unwashed raspberries in a single layer in the fridge for a few days.
Troubleshooting
- My raspberry canes are dead: Scratch the stem. If it’s green underneath, the cane is still alive. Keep watering well.
- My raspberries are covered in ants: Ants are attracted to the sugary honeydew secreted by aphids. Rub the aphids off the stem tips or prune out some top growth to remove the infestation.
- When’s the best time to transplant raspberries: Transplant raspberries in autumn or early spring when the plants are dormant.
By following these tips, you can grow delicious and healthy raspberries in your own backyard.
