Willamette Raspberry Transplanting Instructions

Site and Soil

• "Willamette" raspberries thrive in full sun, so choose a planting site that receives at least eight hours of full sun. The site should be sheltered from high winds yet allow the air to circulate freely around the plant. Consider your winter weather when choosing a site and avoid any site that is lower than the rest of the landscape. These are known as frost pockets because cold air and frost tend to settle in them. If you’re planting on a slope, avoid those that face south or west, as these have a tendency to warm earlier and new growth may be damaged if spring frost occurs. "Willamette" will grow best in soil that drains well.

Preparation

• To give the raspberry plant a healthy start, cut off any bands or wires on the stems and put the roots into a bucket of water. Allow the roots to soak for three to six hours and leave them in the bucket as you prepare the soil so that they don’t dry out. Add a 3-inch layer of aged compost or rotted manure to the planting area and use a gardening fork to dig it into the top 3 to 4 inches of soil.

Transplanting

• Choose a cloudy day with cool temperatures on which to transplant the "Willamette" raspberry. The planting hole needs to be deep and wide enough so that the roots don’t bend or circle around the walls of the hole. If you’ll be planting more than one "Willamette," space them 2 to 3 feet apart. After planting, cut the canes until they stand 3 to 4 inches above the soil.

Care

• Give the raspberry 1 to 2 inches of water immediately after planting and do not allow the top 6 inches of soil to dry out. The plant will spend its first year producing foliage and will flower and bear fruit in the second year. Give it a healthy start by applying a weak dose of 5-1-1- fish fertilizer. Mix 1/2 tablespoon of the fertilizer in 1 gallon of water and pour the solution over the soil, 3 inches away from the plant.