How to Grow Strawberries Under Raspberries

Prune the raspberry plant in the spring before you plant the strawberries. Cut out any dead or damaged canes. Select the 10 to 12 healthiest canes, and then cut back the rest to the ground, leaving at least 6 inches between canes.

Install a garden trellis behind the canes to keep them upright and off the ground. Secure the canes to the trellis with twist ties in a vertical position. The plant will then produce side shoots along the trellis.

Cover the soil under the raspberry plant with 2 inches of compost, starting 8 to 10 inches from the base of the plant and going out 2 feet after the last frost has passed. Work the compost into the soil with a hand spade.

Dig planting holes for the strawberries in the prepared soil. Make the holes deep enough to hold the roots of the seedlings. Space the holes 15 inches from the raspberries and 15 inches from each other.

Lower the plants into the holes, and firm the soil around the roots so the crown of the strawberry plant is just above the soil. Water until the soil settles. Continue watering the raspberries and strawberries with 1 inch of water per week if you do not receive equivalent rainfall.

Cut back the strawberry runners with a pair of scissors throughout the growing season. This keeps the plants under control and prevents them from competing with the raspberries.