Preparing raspberries for winter in the Moscow region

The flavor and nutritional value of raspberries have long made them a favorite among berries, and many gardeners keep several bushes in their yards. Raspberries don't require much care, grow smoothly all summer, producing fruit, and if you don't worry about the sharp thorns, you can reap a good harvest, and by autumn, make a lot of jam. But with the arrival of cold weather everbearing raspberries and other varieties need to be protected, because winters in the Moscow region are long, sometimes with temperatures dropping to -40.

Getting ready for winter

Raspberry bushes are a special case in the multi-stage process of preparing for the cold. Every gardener or permanent resident knows which plants on their property need protection before the cold weather sets in, which need pruning or fertilizing. Many people think that preparing for the cold can be done in the fall, but this is not true. The process begins in the summer, even though it's still hot outside and the last thing you want to think about is the cold.

The first step is monitoring the condition of the root system, shoots, and wood of each bush. Nature itself gradually begins to prepare for the coming cold weather, but sometimes it needs a gentle nudge in the right direction with fertilizer. This way, the root system and shoots will accumulate strength for a long winter. How to prepare raspberries for winter in the Moscow region: the last fertilizer should be applied before the first frost.

The second stage: with the onset of beautiful autumn days, you need to begin mulching the soil to protect the roots from frost and possible drying out. This procedure is especially thorough in arid regions, where winters are known to be colder and precipitation is less. Snow is the best natural frost protection material. Any neutral material with a natural composition is suitable for mulching. If you decide to cover the roots with sawdust, avoid pine trees.

Peat moss or collected rotted leaves are best. Experiment with different types of compost, but nitrogen often accumulates in compost, which increases humidity and promotes rotting underneath. Form a 5-10 cm layer of the chosen material. If you use too little, the soil will be poorly insulated and the bush will freeze; if you use too much, rot will occur, and by the time warmer weather arrives, the bush will be weak or even die. Before mulching, thoroughly water all raspberry bushes. They shouldn't face the winter with dry roots.

The third step is bending the bushes down, tying them together and pressing them to the ground. This helps protect them from the wind and provides better cover for the plants. How to prepare raspberries for winter in the Moscow region: They have tall, branched bushes, so you'll need several wooden stakes or metal poles to dig in around the bush. Stretch wire up to 20 cm from these stakes. This will help the branches cover with snow faster and prevent severe frost damage. Secure all the branches of the raspberry bush with nylon threads to form an arch to ensure secure hold. If your raspberries are growing in an open area, they're not protected from cold winds, so snow won't be able to linger. Find out. How to transplant raspberries in the fall to a new location to get a good harvest in the summer.

Lutrasil, a special covering material with a fibrous structure, can help. A special heavy variety is available, making it easy to protect bushes. Its weight prevents wind from tearing off the cover. Lutrasil itself is not monolithic and allows air and sunlight to pass through. This makes it extremely popular among gardeners. After all, in addition to protection, the bush needs to breathe and, if possible, get some sun. If the area is sunny, it's better to cover raspberries with Spudbond, which is resistant to sunlight. Both materials are made specifically for covering, but they are quite expensive, and this cost is often not justified. After all, raspberry bushes usually grow densely, and few people have just one bush. And in winter, you need to cover everything. You simply can't have enough material. How to prepare raspberries for winter in the Moscow region without spending too much? Replace expensive alternatives with roofing felt. It's much cheaper, but before covering, you first need to cover the bush with a piece of burlap, and then apply the roofing felt on top.

The pruning process

The fourth step in winter preparation is pruning. Inexperienced gardeners should know a few helpful tips before picking up the shears.

• all dried young and two-year-old thin eyelids must be cut off from the bushes;
• the rest just need to be pinched, leaving 10 cm tops;
• Before planting, gardeners usually estimate the optimal distance between bushes to ensure each raspberry bush has its own space. Ideally, 60 cm will help them survive the winter. Over time, the bush will grow wider, so prune back the excess without hesitation.
• Do not disturb young bushes; they receive additional nutrition through photosynthesis. When raspberries are at this stage of development, pruning is necessary for the healthy development of their root system, so flower stalks are removed. This procedure should be repeated every year.

Pruning remontant raspberry varieties

It is distinguished by its high fruiting rate, with berries produced from both last year's ripened branches and this year's young, green shoots. Planning for a similarly abundant harvest in the future, remontant raspberries require similar care. Here's how to prepare raspberries for winter in the Moscow region (video): use the standard step-by-step method. The only caveat is to start preparation later, as this raspberry bears fruit throughout the summer and fall, right up until the first frost. You can prune all canes older than one year, as they no longer produce as much fruit.

In the last days of autumn, when frosts are already actively damaging the foliage, all woody areas should be cut back, leaving the small stems emerging at the base of the roots. The roots themselves should be protected with a growing layer so they can safely await spring in a dormant state. It's important to pay attention to the thickness of the covering material. If it's too thin, frost will damage the roots; if it's too thick, excess moisture will accumulate and dangerous rotting will occur.

We recommend:The best varieties of everbearing raspberries for the Moscow region

Many inexperienced gardeners are afraid or unwilling to damage their bushes with pruning. After all, raspberry bushes grow beautifully during the warm months. But there's no need to feel sorry for them; you'll provide each bush with the space it needs and help them survive the winter cold without significant losses. Nature takes care of plants, and many go into hibernation—bud growth stops, leaves fall, and the trees themselves seem to fall asleep, swaying their bare branches in the wind. The bushes, meanwhile, are covered in snow. Raspberries have long since become a "houseplant" requiring care and attention. How to prepare raspberries for winter in the Moscow region (photos), proceed step by step, carefully and meticulously.