How to grow black raspberries in your garden

Black raspberries have recently become popular among gardeners. Their berries are somewhat smaller than the typical red or yellow raspberries. However, growing raspberries in the garden isn't all that difficult, as unlike "standard" raspberries, black raspberries don't spread as much and are more well-behaved in the garden. So how do you grow black raspberries to get a good harvest? Let's find out.

What does black raspberry like?

This bush is quite undemanding when it comes to soil: it thrives and produces fruit even in sandy loam soil. Black raspberries will produce more fruit in rich black soil, but they also thrive in sandy soil. The key is to avoid soil that's too heavy: in gardens frequently flooded by bodies of water, this plant can rot or become diseased.

Raspberries thrive on regular watering. However, watering should be done sparingly, ensuring the black raspberries get enough water, but also avoiding waterlogging. This is especially true if you water in the evening: at night, pathogenic bacteria can become active and infect the berry bushes.

Black raspberries don't need either full sun or deep shade. They prefer light partial shade, which allows them to stay warm and still provide the necessary sunlight for their fruit. Furthermore, if you plant raspberries in the shade, be prepared for the fact that insects won't frequent them often, which means a poor harvest. Pollinators prefer plants in the sun, so take this into account before planting.

Find out, How to properly care for raspberries in the spring to get a good harvest.

How to grow black raspberries from cuttings at your dacha?

1. Choose a spot on your property. We grow this plant under a chain-link fence: the bushes get enough light and, at the same time, their vines can cling to the mesh support. Prepare the soil just before planting the raspberries. Dig a hole about 50 cm in diameter, water it thoroughly, and fill the bottom with a mixture of loose soil and compost. Place the black raspberry cuttings in the hole and cover with soil. Cover the soil around the cuttings with dry soil to prevent moisture, essential during the first days of growth, from evaporating too quickly.

2. Once the bushes have taken root, don't skimp on watering them: in the first few years, the plant will grow and develop quickly.

3. After 2-3 years, the first buds will appear on the black raspberry bushes. During flowering and fruiting, this plant needs to be watered very thoroughly: not with a watering can, but with a hose (it's best to leave the hose under the raspberry bushes and let the soil soak for 5-10 minutes).

4. Black raspberry fruits appear in place of the flowers. Each rosette contains a central berry (it always ripens first) and 3-8 lateral berries.

5. If you're not around during flowering and there's no one to water the raspberries, the fruit may be weak—undersized or asymmetrical. But don't mistake this for a problem: just water your black raspberries more thoroughly next year, and you'll get a good, beautiful harvest.

6. Black raspberries produce sweet fruit, so it's no wonder they're so popular with garden bugs. Small bugs can often be seen nesting on nearly ripe berries. To prevent them, sprinkle a little ash on the bush's blossoms while they're still blooming.
Also read about diseases and pests of raspberries.

7. It's impossible to pick all the black raspberries at once: the center berries ripen significantly earlier than the rest of the berries. Therefore, it's best to inspect the raspberry bushes once a day and pick all the black berries. It's best to do this with gardening gloves, as the branches that hold the berries are very prickly. The strong, thorny vines can even tear skin or clothing, so avoid making any sudden movements near black raspberry bushes.

Once you've harvested black raspberries, you'll surely forgive them for their thorny quirks, as these berries are so delicious and aromatic! Even berries accidentally left on the bushes can be used as food: simply dry them and add them to tea. Growing black raspberries in your own garden is quite simple, and in return for your efforts, you'll get natural sweets with an extraordinary taste!