When Can I Expect Fruit on My Raspberry Bush?

Location

• A raised bed in a full sun area will help prevent root rot on the canes. Raspberries hate "wet feet" and will not thrive in soils that retain moisture or hard clay earth. There should be no competing overstory vegetation which will shade the bed or absorb the bulk of the nutrients and moisture. The bed will need six to eight hours of sun. Never plant raspberries where tomatoes, eggplant or potatoes have been planted. Cultivated raspberries also need to be at least 300 feet away from wild raspberries and blackberries.

Planting

• Raspberries need excellent drainage in soil that is well cultivated. Most soil needs some amendments which means the incorporation of sand for drainage, manure or compost for nutrients and peat for texture. Plant your raspberries in early spring as soon as the soil is workable. Raspberry canes are planted at the same depth they were in the nursery pots. After planting, cut the canes back to 8 to 12 inches. This will encourage thicker, faster growth.

Time of Bearing

• Almost all raspberries grow off of 2-year-old canes and then the cane dies and is replaced with a new set. This is why pruning is crucial to good raspberry cultivation. The first-year canes are called primocanes and will not produce fruit. The second year canes are the productive plant material and are termed floricanes. After harvest, the floricanes can be removed. Spring pruning is also required to remove weak canes and unwanted growth.

Cultivation

• Raspberries do best with a support structure of some sort. A trellis or just posts with a pair of wires are useful for tying the canes. Canes can be fertilized 10 to 14 days after planting. Apply 2 oz. of 5-10-5 fertilizer around each cane, and then in spring apply a 10-10-10 at a rate of 15 to 20 lbs. per 1,000 square feet. Mulch around the plants to minimize weeds and conserve water. Raspberries will need light supplemental irrigation in dry summers. Harvest the berries when they are plump and brightly colored.