RASPBERRIES:
Raspberry Planting Guide

Almost everybody likes raspberries and blackberries! An understanding of the fruiting habits of the brambles is important so that they can be properly pruned and trained. Following the necessary instructions for your particular cultivar means many years of bountiful harvest.
SITE SELECTION – Choose a site that has full sunlight and sandy loam soils. Raspberries require good drainage. If the site has a drainage problem plant on a ridge or raised bed.
SITE PREPARATION – Prepare your planting site in early spring. The soil pH should be between 5.8 and 6.5. Choose a site with high organic content or add compost before planting. If possible avoid areas that previously grew tomatoes, potatoes, or eggplants. Work the soil to a depth of about 8 inches.
PLANTING – Prepare your soil and plant as early as spring permits; frost will not harm them. Plant spacing is 3 feet apart within the row and 10 feet between rows. Proper planting depth is 1-2 inches lower than the nursery soil line (dark brown line on cane). Dig holes that are large enough to prevent roots from crowding together. Place roots in hole and fill with soil. Pack firmly for good root and soil contact. Apply moisture if soil is dry.
FERTILIZER – Apply 3 pounds of Territorial’s Complete Fertilizer or 1 pound of 10-10-10 fertilizer per 100 feet of row at 10 days to 40 days after planting. In years to follow, apply 5 pounds of Territorial’s Complete Fertilizer or 2-3 pounds of 10-10-10 per 100 feet of row in the spring (before growth starts) and again in May. Maintain good weed control. If using mechanical weed control do not work soil very deep as raspberry roots are shallow. Mulching in raspberries is not recommended as it promotes some diseases.
PRUNING – Pruning has a major impact on the production of quality raspberry and blackberry fruit. It will affect growth rate, fruit number, size, and disease susceptibility.
Everbearing – The everbearing varieties will yield best when allowed to fruit once per year. Mow all of the canes in very late fall or early spring. Trim the canes as close to the ground as possible leaving minimal stubble. The new canes that emerge will yield the fruit in the early fall.