We’ve been growing raspberries in our backyard for 4 years now. 2 years ago we had a bumper crop. Last year, not so much. But after a recent inspection of the canes, things are looking good for this year and we are excited. If you have never grown raspberries before, give them a try. They do take a few years to really get going, but trust me, they are worth the wait.
Brief Description: Raspberries are a sweet delicate fruit. An established raspberry patch pays for itself very quickly, as they are typically super expensive to buy. {If you decide to buy them in bulk as I did, they will look like this. Basically a bunch of roots. You can place an order online or simply go to your local feed or hardware store to pick some up. Individual canes run about $1-4 depending on the variety. 3 years ago I placed an order for 100 Cascade Delight canes I purchased from Spooner Farms in Puyallup, Washington.}
Where to Plant: Raspberries require 1-2 inches of water per week during the growing season, so plant in an area with adequate access to water. They need full sun and good air circulation, so avoid planting them next to a building or fence.
Growing Tips: Once established, raspberries must be pruned. Consult with your local nursery on how to prune, as different varieties have different needs.
How to Plant: I created 7 rows of raised beds each about 8″ high. I filled the rows with a mixture of old compost and topsoil and covered the roots with about 2″ of dirt. I then planted the canes about 1′ apart {the experts say plant them 2′ apart, but I’m a rebel}.
My raspberry patch has 7 beds with each bed about 12 feet long. I left 2 feet between the rows for walking. I also installed 6′ posts at the end of each row and stung string {you are suppose to use wire} at 3′ and 5′ heights to support the canes.
How to Harvest: Pick the berries when they are a deep red color {or whatever color is appropriate for the variety you chose.} They should be soft, but not squishy. You should be able to pull them from the cane quite easily, if you need to tug, they are not ready.
My Favorite Raspberry Recipes:
Little Known Fact: About 90% of all the raspberries sold in the United States come from Washington, Oregon, and California.
jestjack says
Been following your blog a bit and I’m curious as to what you do keep “critters” away. Here in “our neck of the woods” deer are a BIG problem along with the rabits…ground hogs and stink bugs.The deer would make short work of those rasberries… Any tips would be greatly appreciatted.
Mavis says
We have a fence to keep the deer out but we do have squirrels and birds who steal out berries every year. Last year I place netting over the berry beds and it seemed to help. Sorry, I wish I could give you some better advise.
Erika says
Raspberries are one of my favorite fruits! We have a couple of canes in big pots that are going into our third year. Not much the first year, but last summer there was a handful or more of fruit ready every day or two. Hoping for a bunch this summer, too! I wish that I had space for more plants.
Jesse says
pffft….planting them is never my issue. Keeping them from taking over my whole yard is more of a concern! I have a 20′ by 4′ raspberry patch and have pulled runners up to 10′ away from the source! I think they are planning to overrun the driveway this summer!
Mavis says
Oh but they taste so gooooood. 🙂
Helen B says
What a great berry plot will have!! I had 4 that came with some pots I bought at a yard sale. I stuck them in the backyard at the end of my blackberry bushes, I hope they do OK..:0)
Evonne says
Why can’t you plant them near a fence? My plan was to plant them along our 1 fence about a foot out.
Mari says
In my last place mine were planted about 18 inches out from a tin fence and they did great there. the heat from the fence helped in the ripening process. Each plant was 5 ft apart and picking them was a breeze. Here, they will be planted against a block wall, which also works as a heat sink. Obviously you would not grow them against a green hedge but any solid or wooden fence is great.
Mel, the exerts say to use wire for a reason – string is just not strong enough, does not hold up to the weather and will be damaged as the plants and prickles rub against it in the wind. I don’t know if your poles are plastic or metal, but they look very flimsy to deal with the weight of raspberries. I had 4″ x 4″ x 8ft long posts at either end of mine to cope with the weight. These were sunk in the ground 2ft6″. I tried using 7ft metal standards the first year but they didn’t cope. I had a 2.6 piece of 2×4 bolted to the top and down 2ft on the outside side of each post and had a wire on each end of them. This held the canes in a 2ft deep area and stopped them flapping all over the place. This is what commercial growers do and it really works. Makes picking and maintenance much easier. Now is the time to do this before they start growing in late spring.
Plant something over the ground below the canes too as they don’t like roots exposed to the sunlight. Clover is a good idea as you do not need to pull it out. Raspberries don’t really like their roots disturbed. Plus your chooks will love you if u plant clover Mine go gaga over clover.
Evonne says
I”m going to go with the plan of planting them along the fence. I’ll also plant clover on the roots as you suggest.
THANKS!
Kathy in Chicago says
I had red, yellow & black raspberries in my backyard since, well, before I was born. I grew up with them. They actually do quite well in the shade. And along chain link fences. And along south facing walls of garages.
My favorite breakfast is still cheerios with black raspberries warm from the morning sun & a spoonful of sugar & some milk. And I still put over a cup of red raspberries on my salad, because they are free & delicious. One year I saved some in the freezer, but realized I really prefer them fresh, so now we gobble them up in the summer.
Black raspberries are only during the month of June, while red & yellow I still pick in October.