Raspberry Plant Care

Watering, Fertilizing, Spraying,
Winterizing, Pruning Raspberry Plants

By following these easy guidelines, you will be able to enjoy home-grown raspberries year after year.



Watering Requirements

For new raspberry plantings, keep plants well watered, especially during dry periods of little or no rainfall.

For established raspberry plants specific watering is not normally required, unless drought conditions exist. If necessary, water raspberries 1 - 2 deep waterings per week during the flowering and fruiting season, this is the most critical period of water requirements for the best raspberry plant care.

Raspberry plants which suffer from drought conditions will produce smaller fruit.

Sun / Shade Requirements

As a general rule, raspberry plants thrive best in full sun conditions. Light requirements may vary between different raspberry varieties.

For new raspberry plantings, I would suggest you fertilize them about one month after planting. Use organic fertilizer and compost, or use chemical fertilizer, whichever you prefer. We use 10-10-10 for our raspberry patch. In the Fall, fertilize the berries again.

For established raspberry plants I suggest fertilizing the plants in early Spring with organic fertilizer and compost, or with chemical fertilizer. We use 6-24-24, to enhance both root and flower (fruit) development. After the plants have fruited, apply a fertilizer of 10-10-10 (or your choice of organic fertilizer/compost).

When fertilizing the raspberry plants, be careful not to over-fertilize. Do not use more than about 110-150 g/m per row. Spread the fertilizer evenly around the plants, and about 60cm on each side of the row.

Concentrated fertilizing applications too close to the roots of the raspberry plants will burn the roots and kill the plant.

Manure is a very good source of organic matter. All organic matter should be free of weed seeds.

Dormant Oil / Liquid Lime Sulphur Spray Applications

In order to eradicate over-wintering insect pest and fungal diseases it is advisable to apply dormant oil/liquid lime sulphur to the raspberry plants. The raspberry plants should be sprayed with this in early Spring, before any leaf growth appears on the raspberry canes. Dormant Oil / Liquid Lime Sulphur is available for purchase at most Garden Centres.

Weed Control

As in most gardens, weeds will compete with the raspberries for both nutrients and moisture.

It is a good idea to plant dense grass between the rows of raspberry plants, and around the raspberry patch, and keep the grass cut. This will help to prevent weeds from becoming established in those areas.

Control existing weeds within the patch and in adjacent areas by hoeing, and digging up perennial weeds as needed. Mowing weeds that have not been removed will help prevent the weeds from flowering and setting seed. It is important to control weeds before they create a new crop of seeds.

For Natural, DO it Yourself Weed Control Ideas,
GO to Natural Weed Control Tips

Raspberry Blossom/Flower Removal

On NEW plantings only, (first year of planting), it is advisable to remove the raspberry blossoms/flowers that appear. This will allow the raspberry plants to become better established, using all the plant's energy to build a strong root system.

If desired, raspberry plants can be mulched to conserve soil moisture, and to keep the soil around the plants cool. All mulch material should be free of weed seeds. This is not necessary for optimal raspberry plant care.

Training and Trellising

From time to time, as you go through your raspberry patch, encourage the canes to grow between the lengths of twine.

Pruning / Caning Plants

Raspberry plants must be pruned at the required time. Failing to do so will severely impact the growth and fruiting of your raspberry bushes.

GO to PRUNING Raspberry Plants

Inspecting for Pests and Diseases

Inspect your raspberry bushes from time to time to observe if any plant pests or diseases are visible, and use the appropriate method to solve the problem.

Be vigilant! Once pests take hold of a berry patch, they reproduce quickly. Early detection and treatment of plant pests and plant disease is important to maintain healthy raspberry plants.

GO to Raspberry PESTS

GO to Raspberry DISEASES

Harvesting Raspberries

It is important for optimal raspberry plant care, to visit your raspberry patch daily when the fruit is ripening. Raspberries should be harvested, (picked), when ripe, every day, or every other day. Do not allow berries to become overripe and rotting on the bushes. Overripe raspberries, and raspberries which have been left to decay will attract insects, for example, Japanese Beetles. These insects feed on the overripe fruit and will, very quickly, prove to become problem pests in the berry patch.

GO to HARVESTING / PICKING Raspberries

Winter Protection

If desired, raspberries can be protected from winter conditions by mulching. Unless your raspberry patch is exposed to severe cold and harsh winter conditions, this is not usually required. I live in Ontario, Canada, and we have never protected our raspberry plants for the winter, (and yes, it gets VERY cold here!).

For additional raspberry plant care tips and general information about growing raspberry plants, please refer to the following helpful links:

GO to GROWING Raspberries

GO to PLANTING Raspberry Plants

GO to TRANSPLANTING Raspberry Plants
(Dividing/Propagating Raspberry Plants)

GO to Raspberry VARIETIES

GO to HARVESTING Raspberries

GO to PRUNING Raspberries

GO to Raspberry PESTS

GO to Raspberry DISEASES

GO to ORGANIC Raspberries