Raspberry

Category: berries

Growing

  • 📍 Zone: 3-9 (varies slightly by variety)
  • 🌞 Sun: Full sun for best yields, tolerates partial shade
  • 💧 Water: Moderate to high; consistent moisture is important, especially during fruit development
  • 🌱 Soil: Rich, well-draining, slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5); enriched with compost or organic matter

Planting

  • 📏 Height: 4-6 feet depending on variety
  • 📏 Spacing: 2-3 feet between plants; 6-8 feet between rows
  • 📅 When To Plant: Early spring while dormant; in mild climates, late fall is also possible
  • 🌱 Propagation: Suckers or root cuttings; raspberries naturally spread by producing new canes from roots
  • ⬇️ Depth: Shallow planting; set crown just at or slightly above soil level
  • 🤝 Companion:
    • 0: Garlic
    • 1: Chives
    • 2: Marigold
    • 3: Tansy
  • 🚫 Avoid Planting Near:
    • 0: Nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, peppers — these can spread verticillium wilt)

Care & Maintenance

  • ✂️ Pruning:
    • 0: For summer-fruiting types: prune fruited canes to ground level after harvest; leave strong new canes for next year
    • 1: For ever-bearing types: can prune all canes to ground in late winter for single large fall crop, or selectively prune for two harvests
  • Staking Support: Trellis or support recommended to keep canes upright, improve air flow, and ease harvesting

Harvesting & Usage

  • ⏰ When To Harvest: When berries are fully colored, plump, and easily detach from the core (receptacle)
  • ✋ How To Harvest: Pick gently by hand to avoid bruising; harvest every 2-3 days during peak season
  • 🥫 Preservation: Excellent for fresh eating, freezing, drying, jams, jellies, syrups, baking

Ecological Info

  • 🐝 Pollinators:
    • 0: Self-fertile but benefit from bees and other pollinators for improved fruit size and yield
  • 🦌 Wildlife Resistance:
    • 0: Birds are fond of raspberries; netting may be necessary to protect the crop