How to Grow Raspberries in Al's Gritty Mix

Al's Gritty Mix is a type of potting soil mix, invented by a member of an online gardening forum. Although it contains a few organic ingredients, it is, for the most part, inorganic and contains no soil. The gentleman that created it did so to provide himself and his friends with a fast-draining mix for potted perennial plants. It includes equal parts of Turface, which is a type of soil conditioner made out of calcined clay and used on sports fields, granite grit and finely shredded bark.

20 gallon trash can or other container
1/4 inch hardware cloth, cut to fit over the container's opening
1/16 inch window screen, cut to fit over the container's opening
Turface MVP
Granite grit, grower size or 1/8 inch
Fine fir or pine bark, 1/4 to 1/8 inch
Gypsum
Measuring spoons
Planting container
Trellis
Epsom salt
Planting container -- at least 7 gallons
Pruning shears
Fertilizer, liquid, all-purpose

Instructions

- 1
  Place the one-fourth inch hardware cloth over the container and pour the fine bark over it. Discard the larger chunks that remain on top of the screen.
- 2
  Replace the hardware cloth on top of the container with 1/16th inch window screen and pour the Turface and granite grit over it. Discard whatever materials won't sift through the screen. Mix the ingredients in the container thoroughly.
- 3
  Add 1 tablespoon of gypsum for each gallon of Al's Gritty Mix and mix it in well.
- 4
  Pour the mix into the raspberry planting container, to within 2 inches of the top. Insert the trellis at the back of the container.
- 5
  Plant the raspberry starters after the danger of frost has passed. Dig holes in the Gritty Mix that places the plants' crown 1 inch below soil level. Pack the growing medium around them and water until water seeps from the bottom of the container.
- 6
  Prune the raspberries to the number of canes you find manageable for the size of the container. Typically, four canes are maximum but you may need to grow just one.
- 7
  Water the raspberry every other day if there is no rain. Al's Gritty Mix is quick-draining and may dry out faster than the planting mixes you are accustomed to.
- 8
  Fertilize the raspberry with a liquid all-purpose fertilizer monthly. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label and use the amount suggested.

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