How to Plant Canby Raspberries

Plant Canby raspberries in fall or early winter, after the first frost, to give the bushes time to take root and establish for spring growing. In particularly cold zones, like zones 3 and 4 where winter lows can dip to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, opt for a spring planting instead, to ensure survival.

Clear a spot that gives you full to partial sun. Canby raspberries will grow and bear fruit in filtered or partial sun in warm areas, but always do better in full sunshine. Make sure that any site gets quick drainage after rain and good air circulation. Measure out 3 feet of space for each Canby raspberry cane.

Amend the soil two weeks before planting to give it time to settle. Mix coarse sand and organic compost in equal parts as your amendment, and dig 3 to 5 inches of this mixture into 10 inches of natural soil in each planting site. This amendment gives the raspberries quick drainage and adequate nutrition for starting. Canby raspberries will fail in heavy clay soil, advises Oregon State University Extension.

Plant Canby raspberries in holes that are as deep and wide as their previous plantings, to completely submerge their root balls but not their stems. Ideal planting places the crown at soil level. Pack amended soil around the roots of each cane to eliminate air pockets, then water each plant with 1/2 gallon of water to establish the planting.

Put a trellis behind the row of raspberry bushes for support during growth. Mulch the entire patch with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch to protect the plants through winter, and to keep the soil warm and moist during growth. Put the bushes on a schedule of 2 to 3 inches of water every week during dry periods.