How to Grow Grape and Raspberry on the Same Trellis

Plant both raspberries and grapevines in late winter to early spring around the last frost. These plants thrive with dormant plantings.

Choose a large, flat site with quick year-round drainage, 6 to 8 hours of daily sun exposure and good air movement. Neither crop succeeds in shady or cool planting locations. Allocate 8 to 10 feet of space to each grapevine and 2 to 3 feet of space to each raspberry bush. Leave 10 feet between the last grapevine and the first raspberry bush to avoid intermingling and shading.

Prepare the soil in the raspberry row. Turn 3 inches of sand and 3 inches of organic compost into the top 10 inches of natural soil. This amendment raises the soil level for best drainage and increases nutrition. Prepare individual 2-foot-square sites for the grapevines at 8 to 10 feet in the row. Turn 7 inches of organic compost into the top 12 to 14 inches of soil to allow grapes deep, crumbly and loose soil for root growth.

Plant 1- to 2-year-old nursery grapevine and raspberry seedlings for best success. Plant each seedling so that the roots and crown sit just under soil level. Fill the soil in carefully around roots, as neither plant does well with air pockets in the planting site.

Water each planting site with one-half gallon of water to establish the planting. Put the plants on a schedule of 2 inches of water every week. Lay 2 inches of mulch over the soil in 2-foot circles around each plant to restrict weed growth, maintain soil moisture and retain warmth.

Prune the grapevines down to one cane with five to seven growing buds. This encourages new growth in the spring.

Fertilize grapevines and raspberries 10 days after planting with 10-10-10 fertilizer. Spread the fertilizer over the soil, then use a hand fork to turn it into the top 4 inches of soil. Water the plants immediately after feeding. Leave 4 to 6 inches of space between the fertilizer circle and the bases of the trunks for safety; fertilizer granules burn plant matter. Fertilize the raspberries again one month after the first feeding.

Put a wire trellis with two to three tiers 4 inches behind the grape and raspberry row. Use twine, felt or cord ties to tie main grape and raspberry vines to the wire of the trellis. Don't tie the stems tightly as this will damage the plants. Don't tie foliage, flowers or fruit, as these will break.