Raspberry Soil Requirements, Site Preparation and Planting

Wikifarmer

Editorial team

4 min read
19/12/2024
Raspberry Soil Requirements, Site Preparation and Planting

Planting Raspberries: Site Selection, Timing, and Best Practices

Selecting a Planting Site for Raspberries 

Generally, raspberries prefer sunny, open areas where the air can circulate through the crops easily. The plants can also grow in the shade but will not produce fruits. Raspberries tolerate sandy or clay soils, providing they have good drainage. The plants cannot grow on alkaline or wet soils, which can cause root rot. Rubus idaeus thrives in well-drained, deep, rich, organic, and loamy soils, slightly acidic, with a pH from 5.8 to 6.5 (1). Avoid choosing land near rivers or lakes because the damage can be irreversible if flooding occurs. Red raspberries should not be planted in the field for up to 4-5 years after vegetables (especially nightshades, such as tomatoes and potatoes) because crop residues may cause diseases (r.g. Verticillium) that can contaminate your raspberries. Finally, it is best not to grow raspberries in areas with a high population of wild raspberries nearby because they can transmit many diseases to the crop. Growers are advised to destroy/remove all plants around the planting site in a radius of 600 feet (180-200 meters). It is essential to perform a soil analysis of your field before planting your new raspberries. 

Furthermore, the grower should remember that many animals (e.g., rabbits and birds) like to feed on the berries. As a result, he/she may need to install a fence around the field and cover the crop with a protective net. 

When and How to Plant Raspberries.jpg

When and How to Plant Raspberries? 

Raspberries can be propagated by seed, runners, suckers, or cuttings. Planting is usually performed in early spring during the dormancy of the plants using dormant canes or handles. Depending on the area, the planting period can be extended until early summer. In this case, it is best to use potted plants. However, some farmers also choose to plant during autumn. To assist the establishment and growth of young plants, growers usually apply compost or well-rotted manure to enrich the soil before planting. Planting in raised beds may be necessary in heavy soils with poor drainage. 

The plants can be grown in rows, with a north-to-south direction or in a more rounded patch (more common in home gardens). In heavy, poorly drained soils, it is best to plant raspberries in a raised bed (6-8 inches tall and 2 feet wide, or 15-20cm and 61cm, respectively). If the grower chooses to plant bare-root or potted plants, (s)he can place them at a 2-3 feet (60-90cm) distance (for red and yellow raspberries) or 4 feet (1.21 m) (for black and purple raspberries) from each other and a minimum of 8-10 feet (2.4-3 m) distance between rows. 

Due to the relatively shallow roots (6-8 in or 15-20cm), raspberries do not require the opening of very deep planting holes. However, the holes must be wide enough so the roots do not get squeezed or forced to bend upwards. If the root system of the canes is too long, the farmer can trim it a bit (not more than 25% of the root length) before planting it into the ground. The plant's crown must be 1-2 inches or 2.5-5 cm above the ground. Irrigating each plant with 1-2 inches or 25-50 mm of water is best to improve establishment. After the first irrigation, the raspberry grower can place mulch (e.g., woodchips). Mulch keeps the soil moist and prevents weeds from growing. The fertilizers or composts should have been incorporated into the ground well before planting to avoid burning the young and sensitive roots. 

One year after planting, the grower can inspect the new shoots developed from the plant's base. Any shoots growing more than 1 foot (30 cm) away from the plant base should be removed. Since raspberries need support to grow, the farmer should set up a trellis during the first year after planting (2). Depending on the variety and the region’s climate, the crop can be cultivated in open fields or under high tunnels. 

Growing raspberries in high tunnels is a common practice in many regions. The reason is that this production system offers an extended harvesting period, superior fruit quality, higher yields, a limited need for plant protection, and better protection of the crop from extreme weather phenomena. To obtain the best result, the farmer should choose primocane-fruiting raspberry varieties that are more productive when grown in high tunnels than floricane-fruiting varieties. Finally, other systems like hedgerows and hills can be used to grow raspberries.

References

  1. https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Rubus+idaeus
  2. https://www.rhs.org.uk/fruit/raspberries/grow-your-own
  3. https://extension.umn.edu/fruit/growing-raspberries-home-garden#planting-and-caring-for-new-plants-697310
  4. https://extension.umn.edu/raspberry-farming/growing-high-tunnel-raspberries
  5. https://catalog.extension.oregonstate.edu/sites/catalog/files/project/pdf/ec1306.pdf
  6. https://extension.umaine.edu/publications/2066e/#:~:text=Raspberries%20prefer%20full%20sunlight%20and,improve%20fruit%20size%20and%20yield

Further reading

10 Health Benefits of Raspberries

Interesting facts about Raspberries

Types of berries-Superfoods

Raspberry Plant Information and Variety Selection

How to Cultivate Raspberries Commercially

Raspberry Soil Requirements, Site Preparation and Planting

How to Grow Raspberries from Seed

How to Grow Raspberries in Containers

Raspberries Propagation and Pollination

Raspberry Irrigation: Best Practices for Healthy Growth and High Yields

How to Fertilize Raspberries

How to Train and Prune Raspberries

Raspberry Yield, Harvest, and Storage

Raspberry Pests & Diseases and Best Management Practices