The Care of Heritage Raspberries

Plant Heritage raspberry bushes in a garden area with full sun exposure. Test the soil for its pH level by using a pH soil test kit. The soil should be acidic with a pH from 5.5 to 6.0.

Amend the soil before planting so that its pH is 5.5 to 6.0. Add ground rock sulfur to lower the pH or ground limestone to raise the pH. The amounts applied will vary according to the size of the garden area and the pH measurement that you took with the soil test kit. Follow the package instructions based on the pH test results. Sprinkle the soil amendment evenly and use a tiller to work it to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.

Cut any canes to a height of 6 inches with a pruning clipper immediately after planting.

Spread a layer of mulch 3 inches thick around the base of the canes in the late spring. The mulch will hold moisture in the soil during the summer and limit weed growth at the base of the bush. Refresh the mulch each year to maintain a layer 3 inches thick.

Water Heritage raspberry plants two to three times a week. The soil must stay evenly moist during the growing season. Monitor the soil moisture during periods of drought and increase the frequency of watering as needed to prevent the soil from drying out and stressing the plants.

Fertilize Heritage raspberry bushes with a 10-10-10 bramble fertilizer when the first blooms appear in the summer. Apply a second fertilizer treatment after the completion of the second harvest in the late summer or early fall.

Prune Heritage raspberry canes by cutting all two-year-old canes at ground level after the completion of the fall harvest.

Trim tall canes with a pruning clipper so they are under 5 feet tall in the fall, when the Heritage raspberry plants go into their annual dormant period.

Test the soil pH every year to make sure it remains within the range of 5.5. to 6.0. Adjust the pH as needed by amending the soil with ground rock sulfur or ground limestone every spring.