How to Best Grow Raspberries

Plant the most suitable raspberries for your region. Although red, purple, yellow, white and black raspberries are available, they don't grow well in every state. For example, in Colorado only certain varieties of red and yellow raspberries can thrive. In North Carolina, commercial production is limited to the mountains and foothills of the western region of the state. If you live in North Carolina, purchase yellow raspberries for the most success. In Kentucky, raspberry cultivars yield well in most parts of the state. Your local garden nursery should carry the raspberry plants that grow best in the climate and soil of your area. Check the label to make sure the plant is certified disease free. Raspberry cultivars grow best in United States Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10.

Plant raspberries on a northern slope if possible to protect them from the hot afternoon sun and free-standing water. Such a site provides cooler soil that retains moisture. Raspberries need deep, fertile soil that's well-drained and high in humus to flourish. Generously amend your soil to improve drainage if it's primarily made up of clay. Use compost you prepared or purchase it at and garden center. Another option is to plant your raspberries in raised beds in commercially prepared soil.

Build sturdy trellises to support top heavy raspberry plants. A sturdy fence, such as chain link, also works. For each plant, dig a hole 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide. Space plants 3 feet apart. Before setting the plant in the hole, add a handful of manure and a handful of organic fertilizer mix, specifically for raspberries if available. Add some water in the hole and insert the plant. Carefully cover it with soil, followed by more manure and mulch. Mulch the plants no more than 3 feet deep.

Water raspberries in summer and keep them dry in winter. During the summer, consistently keep the soil moist. Standing water in winter may cause root rot. Mulch the plants in summer with straw or other mulch. A drip system or soaker hose works well for watering When using the soaker hose, water one or two hours each week. After the first year of planting, top dress your pruned plants with well-rotted manure or compost and fertilizer.

Darlene White of "Fine Gardening Magazine" recommends the following homemade organic fertilizer for raspberries: four parts canola seed meal or fish meal, one part dolomitic lime to offset the acidity of the seed meal, one part rock phosphate or one-half part bone meal, and one part kelp meal. If applying the mixture just before the raspberries bloom, cut the canola or fish meal by half because less nitrogen is necessary during that time in the growing process.