- 1). Test the soil pH before planting the raspberry bushes to verify it has an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Amend the soil with ground rock sulfur to lower the pH or limestone to raise the pH, if needed. Follow the package instructions based on the current soil pH.
- 2). Apply 2 to 3 inches of organic compost over the planting area and use a tiller to work the soil to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.
- 3). Build planting rows by creating 18-inch-wide rows with 10-inch-high mounds. Space each row two feet apart so you have room for cane growth and walking access.
- 4). Dig planting holes that are slightly deeper than the canes were growing at the nursery. Space the holes three feet apart in each row. Set the raspberry cane roots into the planting hole and cover with soil to hold in place.
- 5). Cut off the top of the raspberry canes after planting to a height of 6 inches and apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch around the canes. This will help retain soil moisture and promote new growth on the canes.
- 6). Apply water to soak the soil around the planted canes. Continue to water the soil to keep it moist for the first two weeks of growth. Provide water to the canes when the weekly rainfall amounts are less than 1 inch during fruit production.
- 7). Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer at the start of bloom growth and after fruit harvest. Water the soil generously after fertilizer application to increase the absorption rate.
- 8). Prune the raspberry canes during the dormant stage by removing 3 inches from the ends of each fruit-producing cane. Remove all dead and damaged canes in early spring before the canes come out of dormancy.
- 9). Remove 2-year-old canes after fruit harvest so there are five to seven canes left on the raspberry bush. Remove all canes growing on the outside of narrow rows and between the rows. Keep canes that sprout inside the mound rows.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -