How to Maintain Raspberry Plants

Feed the raspberry plants in the spring with a quality fertilizer. This will promote a healthy group of canes. The best fertilizer is a nutrient level of 10-10-10. The numbers stand for the level of nutrients in the fertilizer. The nutrients are listed in the order of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium.

Prune canes back in the spring. The tops should be cut back about 4 or 5 inches. This will stimulate the canes to branch out so more lateral shoots will develop. A greater harvest is reached with this pruning method.

Remove weak, small or thin canes. These canes will not flower or produce any fruit so there is no reason to allow them to grow. The stronger canes will be able to concentrate on producing more fruit for the gardener.

Water thoroughly during the flowering and fruiting season. Raspberry plants need plenty of water during the production season. The blossoms or fruit can wither away if the canes do not receive enough water.

Cut back the raspberry canes as the fruit is harvested. The canes should be pruned to about 3 or 4 inches during the fall. This will ensure the plants are not damaged and the roots can become even stronger.