{"id":2431,"date":"2019-06-10T03:23:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-10T03:23:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2431"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:22:01","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:22:01","slug":"15-steps-for-planting-harvesting-tasty-raspberries-at-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/15-steps-for-planting-harvesting-tasty-raspberries-at-home\/","title":{"rendered":"15 Steps for Planting & Harvesting Tasty Raspberries at Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Raspberries are one of the most popular varieties of the berry plant, and they\u2019re one of the easiest ones to cultivate whether from seeds, cuttings or existing plants \u2013 this makes them a perfect choice for first-time gardeners, or anyone who would like to add raspberries to their daily diet for the benefit of their health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The raspberry plant grows happily under the right conditions, and can produce a great fruitful harvest throughout the year if the plant is well taken care of and harvested from at the correct times during the year.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raspberries are also one of the healthiest berries out there, and a great source of the essential antioxidants that the immune system needs to stay healthy \u2013 and what\u2019s better than the fruits of your own plants from your garden? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are 8 steps for planting & harvesting tasty raspberries at home that anyone can use. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Select Your Type<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first things that a gardener will have to decide about once they\u2019ve chosen raspberries as their chosen plant is which type of raspberry they would like to include in their garden. Most novice gardeners might be surprised to find out that all raspberries are not created equal, and that there are many varieties out there \u2013 not all of which are red! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The most common type found in gardens and stores is usually the red raspberry that most people are familiar with, but there are also other types including the Asian raspberry and the blue raspberry. Some varieties even present with yellow berries during flowering time instead of red ones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The good thing about the varying types of berries out there is the fact that they prefer more or less the same conditions no matter which type you might have. The tips given here thus apply to most different raspberry types you can find. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 2: Plan Your Garden<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planning is one of the most essential factors for any gardener, and yet it\u2019s the one thing that novice gardener is known to overlook when they lay their first plants. If you want to avoid a whole lot of effort later on in thinking that you could have planted one thing here instead of over there, do your planning properly before you stick the first plant in the ground. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A simple pen-and-paper outline of your garden will do. Mark out areas of the garden that are getting the most sun, and where possible, note which type of soil each area of the garden has \u2013 this might need to be adjusted slightly depending on what you would like to have planted where. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planting raspberries, don\u2019t plant them anywhere near plants like potatoes or strawberries: Many common plant diseases affecting these associated plants are prone to \u201cjump\u201d to the raspberry population and can destroy your plants entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 3: Prepare the Soil <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first step for a gardener after you have selected the type of raspberry plant you would like to cultivate in your garden is to prepare the soil. Don\u2019t assume that the soil is already perfect for planting because in the majority of gardens this isn\u2019t the case. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Start off by removing any weeds, stalks, and rocks from the soil and work through it until the soil has a loose, free-flowing consistency. A few weeks before planting, work a layer or two of compost into the ground to enrich the soil with the essential nutrients which will come in handy for newly-developing raspberry plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choose a spot that doesn\u2019t get access to too much wind or water; while most berry plants love water, they don\u2019t like to be \u201cwet\u201d in their chosen sport and this can lead to rot under the surface. To block off the wind, consider hedges or bushy barrier plants like lavender. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 4: Planting and First Watering<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Planting and first watering is an essential phase for the initial growth of any plant, and this can be the difference between seeing a plant flourish in the soil for the first time or realizing that some urgent adjustments need to be made to the plant\u2019s immediate surroundings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you\u2019ve prepared the soil for planting, it\u2019s time to physically plant the raspberries in the ground. Ideally, the majority of gardeners choose to grow their raspberries from existing plants just because this cuts down on the time needed until you can harvest from the plant \u2013 although you can, of course, do it from seeds if you have the time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When planting raspberries, let the roots soak in water for at least an hour before putting them into the ground. Make sure that they are spaced at least two feet apart or you risk entangled roots and unhappy plants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From there, water at least once per week \u2013 less in rainy weather, and more in hotter climates. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 5: Maintaining Plant Growth<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Keeping a beautiful and successful garden going is about far more than just making sure that the plants take in the ground for their initial growth phase. The best gardens in the world are the ones that manage to sustain themselves and manage to function as an entire miniature ecosystem rather than just a collection of plants put together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maintaining plant growth is one of the most important factors for cultivating happy and fruitful raspberry plants. If you want to make sure that your raspberry plants can provide you with a harvest for years to come, make sure that your plants are happy throughout the year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This involves testing the pH of the soil regularly and adjusting conditions as needed \u2013 you\u2019re looking for a measurement of between 6 and 7. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also involves regular pruning (more about this later) as well as protecting your raspberry plants against elements like a cold in the winter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 6: Taking Care of Diseases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Even raspberry plants that grow in the most perfect conditions can still be potentially affected by a range of different plant diseases that raspberries are prone to, and this is something that can make a lot of novice gardeners panic. Questions like, \u201cWhy are the canes turning brown?\u201d or \u201cWhy aren\u2019t the raspberries growing the way they should?\u201d are common questions \u2013 and the answer to most of these can be traced to either issue with nutrients or a disease. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just some of the diseases which can affect raspberry plants include a condition called blight as well as verticillium wilt. If your plant is affected by either, consult your nearest nursery and speak to them about the varying options available \u2013 usually medicines can be added to either the water or the soil and should be enough to fix the issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In cases where this doesn\u2019t work, the affected raspberry plants should be removed from the garden \u2013 and take care to avoid putting these cuttings in the compost heap for the risk of infecting the rest of your garden with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 7: It\u2019s Harvesting Time<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting time is the period that every gardener spends most of the year waiting for, and there are few things that are as satisfying as picking the fruit out of your own garden \u2013 and what you do with them after that is entirely up to you. Raspberries are great because they can keep for weeks in the fridge, and they can even be frozen if you\u2019d like them to last a bit longer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For harvesting, the best time to harvest is just before the frost \u2013 if you leave it for too long, the frost can be the biggest destroyer of what would have been a perfectly fruitful harvest! Feel the berries on the plant: The consistency ideal for picking is firm, once they\u2019ve gone too soft on the plant they are past their prime stage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a last note on harvesting, remember that berries \u2013 including raspberries \u2013 can stain like nothing you\u2019ve ever seen. Never wear your best shirt out into the garden for harvesting time!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 8: After Harvest<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In order to ensure that you have healthy and happy raspberry plants for years more to come, make sure that you consider the time after the harvest just as important as the harvest itself. Treating the plant right once you\u2019ve harvested from it is key to promoting new plant growth in the future. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since the best time to harvest is just before the frost, remember to keep your plants well-protected from the associated cold once it arrives; sometimes a tarp is more than enough to protect plants against the cold, and barrier plants (or even temporary hedges) are great for protecting against any wind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember to measure the pH levels of the soil regularly, and adjust as needed. Adding nutrients to the soil is seldom necessary for maintenance beyond the initial planting phase unless you notice any changes or deficiencies in plant growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you spot any signs of common diseases (as described earlier), remove the affected plants before the infection gets a chance to spread.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 9: Look Out for Pests<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Diseases are a problem for raspberry plants, and so are pests. When the springtime starts to roll around, and the ground begins to thaw, bugs emerge from the soil to infest your raspberry plants. Most insect populations are in full swing June through August, and it\u2019s around this time of the season that you need to look out for bugs taking a toll on your plants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The worst pests for your raspberry bushes include the likes of spider mites and Japanese beetles. Spider mites look like tiny spiders that weave a web around the leaves and canes of your plants. The bugs suck the sap from the foliage, and stems of the raspberry plant, producing yellow spots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cane borers are the most severe pest found in raspberry gardens. These bugs lay eggs at the base of the plant on the bark of the canes. As the eggs hatch, they feed off the bark and then tunnel into the canes, causing wilting of leaves and delays in fruit production that lead to small or no yield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 10: Companion Plants<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Add some companion plants to your garden to complement your raspberries. Companion plants can help prevent disease and pest infestations from killing off your raspberry plant, and they can also provide you with other fruits and vegetables to bring more variety to your dinner table as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We suggest you start your companion planting by growing a cover crop for the soil around the base of your raspberry plant. Cover crops help to retain the moisture in the earth, and this also helps to improve levels of beneficial bacteria in the ground. Good cover crops to grow with raspberries include Japanese millet, buckwheat, Sudan grass, and spring oats. After the cover crop sprouts, till it into the soil and let it sprout again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plant the following herbs and vegetables around the base of your raspberry canes to help ward off disease and insects. Garlic, leeks, onions, and chamomile all have protective properties for your raspberry canes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 11: Rotate Crops<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you manage to make it the entire way through the growing season without your plants experiencing pests or diseases, then you can leave your raspberry in the ground till the following season. However, if you raspberry contracts a fungal pathogen, you might want to dig up the canes at the end of the season and move them to a different area of the garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This crop rotation strategy helps you to avoid contaminating your raspberry at the start f the next growing season. Pathogens that overwinter in the soil will infect your plant, resulting in your raspberry not bearing any fruit. By rotating your crops, you give the soil time to recover from infection. Resting the soil also helps to replace any nutrients lost during the growing season as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We recommend you leave one-quarter of your garden unplanted, and nurture the soil with fertilizer and nutrients, giving it time to rest. This strategy allows you to use this patch the following year while you rehabilitate another segment of your garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 12: Training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Raspberry canes can grow to heights of eight feet, making them one of the taller plants in your garden. As a result, you may have to stake the plant when growing to give it the support it needs as the tops start to get heavy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Raspberries also make a fantastic plant for wall-training. Plant the raspberry in a pot or the ground at the foot of an east-facing wall in your yard. The east-facing direction provides the raspberry with the morning sun it needs to grow. Attach a trellis or lattice to your wall and train the canes into the gaps as the plant develop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This strategy gives your raspberry support, allowing you to focus its attention on producing fruit, rather than strengthening the canes. Ensure that you trellis or lattice does not constrict the growth, and always prune the tree back at the end of the season, and remove the previous canes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 13: Why Is My Raspberry Tree Not Fruiting? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a frustrating experience to grow and tend to your raspberry bush all season \u2013 only to find that it does not bear any fruit. There are a variety of reasons why your plant is not producing berries, but we are going to have a look at the most common reasons for this issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If this is your first or second season with your raspberry, then the chances are that it is not mature enough to produce fruit. Raspberry plants typically only yield berries in the third year, and the first harvest from the plant can yield discolored or dry fruit. Should you want your raspberry to produce in the first season, then we recommend you look into buying an established plant that\u2019s ready to fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some ever-bearing species of raspberry vegetate during the colder months of the year and then start fruiting through the spring and summer season, yielding multiple harvests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 14: Storing Raspberries<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After harvesting your raspberries, we recommend you store them in an air-tight container in the fridge, and eat them within 5-days. Never rinse your raspberries before storing, as this practice will result in soft and soggy raspberries. Rinse them as you are about to eat the berries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have more raspberries than you can eat, then try freezing them for addition to smoothies and frozen desserts. Take a baking tray and line it with cookie paper. Lay a single layer of the berries and send it to the freezer for a few hours. After the berries freeze, add them to a plastic Ziploc bag, and store the raspberries in the freezer for up to 10-months. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

After harvesting your berries, we suggest you use as much as you can in fresh food recipes, then freeze or preserve the rest. You can make delicious jams and jellies using fresh raspberries, and then store them in the fridge for up to one year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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Step 15: Recommended Raspberry Varieties<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It may surprise you to find out that there are dozens of raspberry varieties. Each type has unique characteristics in terms of growth, fruit production, as well as pest and disease resistance. Some species are hardier than others and do better in colder climates, such as the Northern States. Check our list of favorite varieties and choose the type that suits your garden and growing experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heritage Raspberry \u2013 An ever-bearing variety that has excellent resistance to cold weather, making it suitable as a perennial planting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canby \u2013 This summer-bearing variety does well in warmer climates, such as the Southern States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fallgold \u2013This ever-bearing species produces yellow-colored berries. We recommend the fall gold for gardens in the Northern States and Canada. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plainsman \u2013 This is an ever-bearing raspberry with red berries. The plainsman does well in high altitude elevations, such as Colorado and the Rockies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Double gold \u2013 This ever-bearing type features peach-colored berries that are suitable for growing in warmer climates of the central and southern United States. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n