How to Grow Pre-Stratified Raspberries From Seed

Sprout the raspberry seeds indoors. Start the seeds in cell flats. Fill each cell flat container with a seed-starting mix. Sow the seeds 1/4-inch deep and cover with a thin layer of fine vermiculite. Water to moisten the seed-starting mix. Place the cell flats in a dimly lit area with a temperate of approximately 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Water to keep moist.

Choose a site to plant the raspberries that is in full sunlight with a well-drained, sandy loam. The ideal soil pH for raspberries is between 5.6 and 6.5.

Plant the raspberry seedlings in late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Dig a hole the depth of the seedling’s root ball. Place the seedling in the hole and refill. Tamp the soil lightly to firm. Space the plants 28 to 30 inches apart. Water thoroughly.

Apply fertilizer to the raspberry plants in late May. Apply one pound of a balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, per 100 feet of row. For the years after planting, raspberry plants need to be fertilized twice a year, once in the early spring and again in the late spring.

Add a 2- to 4-inch layer of mulch around the plants, such as straw or shredded bark. This will help maintain soil moisture and discourage weeds. Remove any weeds manually as they appear.

Water the raspberry plants to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Supplement rainfall to provide 1 inch of water weekly.