Ways to Grow Raspberries

Hills

• For large gardens, the hill method works well for growing black and purple raspberries. Hills provide good drainage and aid in weed control between plants, but they take up more space than is practical for many home gardens. A single plant grows in each hill 30 to 36 inches apart and in rows 10 to 12 feet apart. A trellis is not necessary for purple raspberries, but black raspberries need a trellis along each row for support.

Hedgerows

• Growing in hedgerows is the most common way to raise raspberries and is best for red and yellow varieties. Hedgerows are planted in beds about 15 inches wide with plants in a line every 10 to 12 inches. As the season progresses, each plant will send out offshoots that will thicken the raspberry patch. Hedgerows take up little space per plant because they are densely spaced. They can grow up against a fence or be free-standing. Free-standing patches should have a trellis system for support.

Trellising

• A trellis helps train raspberry stalks, making them easier to manage. Although not always necessary, a trellis can help raspberry plants to grow faster by reducing competition from suckers and keeping stalks from falling on the ground, where they receive less sunlight. A trellis is a series of wires strung between two posts. A single wire supports stalks on each side, or two wires strung about 2 feet apart support stalks between them. For small gardens, a single post can support two or three raspberry plants. Tie stalks to the post with garden twine.

Containers

• When space is at a premium, grow raspberries in containers. Containers should be about 15 inches in diameter. Five-gallon buckets with holes drilled in the bottom for drainage work well. Plant one raspberry plant per container in a soil mixture of 4 parts multipurpose compost to 1 part heavier loam-based potting soil to keep the plants from becoming top heavy. Apply a multipurpose liquid fertilizer to the soil monthly. Train the stalks along a bamboo pole or dowel pressed into the center of the pot.