How to Build a Raspberry Frame

Set your posts. Encase each raspberry bed in its own frame that's 6 or 6 1/2 feet tall to allow for growth. Space uprights 6 feet apart, or at each corner if the bed is shorter than 6 feet long. Bury the wood posts 4 to 6 inches deep with a trowel, shovel or post hole digger.

Attach cross-beams. Nail 2-by-4s in place at the top of the cage on all sides to create an elongated "cube" that will support the mesh netting. Add another cross-beam halfway down the uprights for another attachment point.

Add a door. For small cages, staple or tie a section of mesh at the top and tie it at the sides for easy access; staple the rest of the netting securely around the top, sides and bottom of the frame. For large cages intended to be walk-ins, construct a framed door. Frame out the four sides of the door and place two cross-beams parallel to the ground, 2 feet apart. Attach mesh securely to the door; connect it to the uprights with two hinges on one side and a latch on the other, following package instructions.

Cut the mesh to fit the dimensions of your framed cage. For large cages, also cut a layer of chicken wire to add before attaching the mesh, to add stability and provide protection from larger animals.

Staple tightly-stretched chicken wire (optional) on all sides, allowing for access through the door. Staple your mesh, also tightly stretched, over the chicken wire. Don't forget to leave an access point. Create a functional "door" by using only a few ties so that the mesh is easily released, or attach mesh to a previously-framed door.