Planting and caring for raspberries in open ground

Raspberries aren't just a tasty and aromatic berry. They're also a treasure trove of vitamins and minerals. Planting and caring for it in open ground requires certain knowledge, which we'll share with you. Growing it in your own garden is a top priority for every gardener. Especially since it grows practically on its own, requiring minimal care.

Preparation of planting material

The easiest, but not the most reliable, way to get a seedling is to buy one from a store. However, you should exercise extreme caution here: sellers often slip you sick plants that are unable to produce a harvest or even thrive in their new location.

The next option is to obtain a cutting. You can ask any gardener who grows raspberries for one. In this case, the younger part, along with the roots and soil, is separated from the older bush using a shovel. The shoots are trimmed off the new bush, after which it is planted in the desired location. This transplant can be performed in spring, summer, or fall, but the first option is preferable.

Another option is to propagate by cuttings. To do this, in June, take cuttings up to 12 cm long from 2-3-year-old root suckers. Place them in a rooting solution for about 6 hours, then plant them in a container filled with a peat-sand mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place. After a month, transplant the cuttings to a larger container. Once they have established themselves and are growing, they will need to be moved outside for a short time. After a week, they can be transplanted to their permanent location.

Choosing a landing site

Adequate light is the most important requirement when choosing a site for raspberries. Otherwise, if planted in the shade, they can stretch out and shade the branches containing the berries.

It's also important to choose a level or slightly sloping planting site. At higher elevations, it will experience a lack of moisture, while in lower elevations, it will suffer from excess moisture.

If the area where you plan to plant raspberries previously contained nightshade crops (potatoes, tomatoes, or peppers), consider choosing a different location. However, legumes and grains are recommended as predecessors.

When and how to plant

Raspberry bushes are planted in spring or fall. The planting instructions remain the same, but the preparation procedure changes.

• Spring preparation. In early spring, dig holes about 50 cm in diameter and depth, setting the soil aside. The distance between holes is at least half a meter, and between rows, 1.5 meters. The remaining soil is mixed with compost, adding 50 grams of potassium, 400 grams of ash, and 100 grams of superphosphate to each hole. This mixture is then poured into the holes.
• Autumn preparation. The best time for autumn planting is late September. One and a half months before planting, dig the soil, adding two buckets of manure, 300 grams of superphosphate, and 150 grams of potassium per square meter.
• Planting. Before planting, the soil in the hole is loosened, creating a depression. The seedling is placed in the center, the roots are spread out, and covered with soil. Next, a hole is dug around the planting and filled with water. The soil is then mulched, and the seedling is cut back to 30 cm above the ground.

 

Raspberries tend to spread. To prevent them from taking over the entire plot, we recommend digging iron or slate sheets around the perimeter of the raspberry patch.

Caring for raspberries

• Spring activities. Once the snow melts, remove last year's leaves from the area and support the bushes by tying them to stakes.
• Fertilizing. Raspberry bushes should be fed annually with nitrogen fertilizer. At the end of March, prepare a solution by mixing one bucket of water, one shovel of cow manure, and 5 grams of saltpeter and pour it under each bush.
• Autumn activities. After harvesting, mulch is removed from under the bushes and burned. The soil is tilled. Potassium and phosphorus fertilizers are applied as needed.
• Watering. Raspberries should be watered only in drought conditions, ensuring the top layer of soil is saturated to a depth of 35 cm. Drip irrigation is best for moisture management.
• Pruning. In the spring, raspberry shoots that were frozen during the winter, broken, or underdeveloped are pruned back to a healthy bud. In the fall, two-year-old and other fruiting shoots are removed.
• Preparing for winter. Raspberry bushes are bent as low to the ground as possible and secured with wire. Leaves are removed. To prevent freezing, the bushes must be completely covered with snow.

Give raspberries a little attention, and you will be able to appreciate their “gratitude” in the form of delicious berries.