How to Build a Terraced Rock Garden for Raspberries

Decide where to place your terraced rock garden and how much space you want the garden to take up. Things to consider are how many plants you want to have in your rock garden and whether or not the area gets enough sunlight. Raspberries are sun loving and should have full sun for at least half the day for best results.

Take measurements of the area and decide how many terraces you will use. Use this information to figure out how many rocks and how much soil you will need to purchase to build up the terraces. Raspberries grow best in sandy loam with lots of organic matter. Purchase enough soil to provide a layer of topsoil that is at least 4 inches thick in the terraces.

Create your terraces by digging troughs with a shovel and placing the rocks inside. Fill in around the rocks with soil so that they are secure. Start with the bottom terrace first and work up. Always make sure the lower terrace is secure before starting on the next one.

Place your plants in the terraces. It is best to transplant raspberry plants that are at least 4 inches in height. Place them at least 6 inches apart in rows. Raspberries have shallow, spreading root systems, so they will do well in shallow beds, but still need plenty of room to spread out.

Cover the soil with a layer of mulch, such as cedar chips. This will protect the young plants from being dried out by the sun and will also save you having to water every day.