Can I Plant My Raspberries Near the Rest of My Garden?

Benefits

• Raspberry plants and vegetable crops share many of the same growing requirements, so placing them near each other makes sense. Raspberry plants and vegetables both need full sun and fertile, moist soil to thrive. Harvesting and weeding chores are also simplified if these plants are grown near each other.

Expert Insight

• Experts at the University of Illinois advise gardeners to plant raspberries away from tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and potato plants because these crops are all susceptible to the verticillium wilt, and may spread the disease to each other. The University of Illinois Extension advises against planting raspberries where these crops have grown for at least 5 years because the disease can remain in the soil.

Considerations

• If you have space in your yard, consider making a separate area for raspberries, especially if you've had problems with fungal diseases or live in a hot, humid climate. Buy certified, disease-free raspberries and choose disease-resistant tomato, potato and pepper varieties. Water plants with drip irrigation rather than overhead sprinklers, as wet leaves spread disease.