How to grow Raspberries

A detailed guide to growing Raspberries including sun requirements, when to plant, feeding, pest control and troubleshooting notes.

Raspberries prefer rich, well draining soil with plenty of added compost and well rotted manure. 

Raspberry plants enjoy a sunny position with some afternoon shade. They also like some protection from strong winds. 

Yes, Raspberry plants are frost tolerant. 

Plant Raspberries roughly 1m apart. 

Late autumn or early spring is the best time to transplant most dormant plants. Plants, with the exception of bare-root, can be transplanted at anytime between when the ground thaws and when it freezes (so anytime if you are in a frost free climate). However, if transplanting in the heat of summer, you'll need to be diligent in watering and provide extra shade for your plant in the first few weeks after transplanting. 

Dig a hole 2-3 times the width of the root ball. The hole should allow the plant to sit at the same level in the soil as it was previously. Fill the hole with soil ensuring the crown of the plant, where roots and stem meet, is level with the soil surface. 

Plant out in the early morning or evening and/or on an overcast day. Avoid planting at peak sun times or on windy days, this will allow your plants to settle in comfortably and protect them from windburn and sunburn.  

Top-dress the soil around the Raspberry plant each spring with some well rotted compost. Use a light application of organic fertiliser throughout the season. Mulch the soil well to retain moisture. 

Harvest when the berries are red, or the colour of the variety planted. Raspberries can be eaten fresh, or frozen for later use. 

Pests that affect Raspberries include: Aphids, Slug, Snail, Vine Weevil, Mites. 

Diseases that affect Raspberries include: Cane and Leaf Rust, Cane Blight, Gray Mold, Raspberry Leaf Spot, Spur Blight, Fire Blight, Leaf Curl, Raspberry Bushy Dwarf Virus, Mosaic Virus, Raspberry Ring Spot, Phytophthora Root Rot. 

Raspberry plants need to be contained and supported. Canes can be trained onto wire supports or tied along a fence line. 

Pruning: Autumn fruiting Raspberries bear on the current-year's wood. Prune after fruiting finishes by cutting the entire plant to the ground.

For summer-fruiting Raspberries, prune after fruiting finishes. These Raspberries bear fruit on two year old canes, so remove any canes that have already borne fruit. Leave around six strong canes per plant. 

Raspberries will ripen continuously throughout the season.