Fresh, crisp-flavored red raspberries are a wonderful addition to your vegetable garden. Learning as much as you can about red raspberries is one of the most important tools you can use to your advantage when it comes to producing these deliciously flavorful shots. They can grow in almost any USDA Zone; however, they are not necessarily large producers in the southern states. Today I grow up in north Texas. With a little effort, however, you may be the recipient of a fruitful crop for many years.
There are two types of raspberries that can be grown in the garden. Fall-bearing raspberries (considered everlasting) will bear fruit twice before the cane dies. First in the fall of autumn, then in the summer of the following year. Plants large clusters of white flowers follow the fruit. Another type is a summer herb that bears fruit in the year old cane Nothing is more beautiful than a cluster of ripe raspberries.
Many varieties are available through catalog order and from your local nursery. Some are sold bare root, others can be purchased locally planted. My preference is always to start from the root, however, if the best variety for my area was only available at the bare root, I would not bother to get this type of garden. Remember to make sure that the stock you buy is best suited for your growing region. Raspberries need a good amount of winter cold hours but they also need a growing season which provides slow heating in the ground. spring
Prepare the area I am going to plant with lots of organic material turned under. I let the newly changed soil rest for at least 2 – 3 weeks before dividing my plants or planting new plants. 1 plant in a raised bed mission which is usually contained or surrounded by a concrete block (see the attached photo of the newly prepared raised bed ) or brick or wood or loose stone or free standing. Good drainage is a must and must be considered for any planting of raspberries.
In the case of re-planting divisions, transplant the divisions with sufficient roots, which will give the plants the best chance for higher growth in the spring. Plant/plant, here in Texas, within the month of November, but not later than the end of the month. This allows me to grow an extraordinary amount of roots which will give the plant a better chance to survive the high altitude North Texas summers.
Irrigation depends on the good growth of the cane and is very important during the flowering and fruiting stage. If the area is drought restricted like I am, you can first thoroughly soak the soil in the spring, put down the soaker hose and then put down a 4 – 6 inch thick layer of horse manure. Infected top manure mulch. Doing this will help maintain a consistent soil moisture, because the layers of horse manure are on top of it, and will slow the loss of moisture.
If you have planted a few plants, plant them on individual stalks at least 5 meters high above the ground. Fasten them very loosely with twist ties every 12 inches to the stake. If you’re planting raspberries in a long row, you’ll want to place stakes every 5-6 feet and run wires for support. Your first wire should be set no less than 18 inches high, while your second wire should be set no higher than 4 feet high. Plants typically grow to be taller than 5 meters tall. Cut the summer varieties again in the spring, before the first spring growth, to a minimum of 5 meters high (below the last fruiting structures). Doing this will cause new growth, new lateral fruiting, at the top of the plant.
The evaluation needed for each type of equipment requires different techniques. While it’s important to follow a certain pruning pattern for best yield, it’s a good idea to prune every cane 6 inches above the ground late in the growing season. Next time you will lose some fruit, but make it a little more convenient for those of you who grow a long row of berries. Everlasting varieties need to be mulched after fruiting. Fruit will grow at the bottom of next year. After two years of fruiting, remove the entire cane by cutting it on the ground. (See the detailed scythe article coming soon).
No matter what kind or variety you plant, with the right care and maintenance you will be provided with the sweet feeling of fresh berries on your kitchen table every year. .
Source: Steven Coyne’s garden and “Gardener’s Guide” blog.
