Raspberries are a rewarding addition to any home garden. Their sweet, tangy flavor and high nutritional value make them a popular choice for gardeners. While they can be grown in containers or raised beds, raspberries truly thrive when planted directly in the ground under the right conditions. This guide walks you through everything you need to know about planting raspberry plants in the ground—from site selection to soil preparation and long-term care.
1. Choose the Right Raspberry Variety
Before putting your raspberry plants in the ground, it’s essential to choose a variety that suits your climate and preferences. There are two main types:
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Summer-bearing raspberries: These produce one large crop in early to mid-summer. Common varieties include ‘Latham,’ ‘Killarney,’ and ‘Boyne.’
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Ever-bearing or fall-bearing raspberries: These bear fruit in late summer and again in early fall. Varieties include ‘Heritage,’ ‘Autumn Bliss,’ and ‘Caroline.’
Check your local USDA Hardiness Zone and consult a local nursery or extension office to find the best types for your area.
2. Pick the Perfect Location
Raspberries need full sun, ideally 6–8 hours per day, to produce abundant fruit. They also prefer well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Avoid planting raspberries:
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In low-lying areas where water collects
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In soil that has recently hosted tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, or eggplants (these plants can harbor Verticillium wilt, a disease harmful to raspberries)
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Close to wild brambles, which can spread pests and diseases
3. Prepare the Soil
Well-prepared soil is key to healthy raspberry plants.
Clear the Site
Remove all weeds, grasses, and old roots. Weeds can compete with raspberries for nutrients and water.
Test and Amend the Soil
Use a soil testing kit to measure pH and nutrient levels. If the pH is too high, amend with sulfur or peat moss to lower it. If it’s too low, add lime.
Enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This improves drainage and adds nutrients. Raspberries like loose, friable soil, so avoid compacted or clay-heavy sites unless you amend them with sand and organic material.
Set Up Raised Rows (Optional)
In wetter climates or heavy soil, create raised rows or mounds about 6–10 inches high. This enhances drainage and prevents root rot.
4. Purchase and Store Plants Properly
Buy dormant raspberry canes from a reputable nursery in early spring or late fall, depending on your region. Inspect them to ensure they’re disease-free, with healthy roots and no mold or rot.
If you can’t plant immediately, keep the roots moist by wrapping them in damp newspaper and storing them in a cool, dark place for up to a few days.
5. Planting Raspberry Canes
Once your site and plants are ready, it’s time to get them in the ground.
Timing
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Spring planting is ideal for most climates. Wait until the soil is workable but before the plants break dormancy.
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In milder regions, fall planting is possible but comes with more risk of winter damage.
Spacing
Space the plants properly to ensure good airflow and access for harvesting:
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Red and yellow raspberries: 2 feet apart in rows that are 6–8 feet apart
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Black and purple raspberries: 3–4 feet apart with rows 8–10 feet apart
Dig Holes
Dig holes wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots without crowding or bending them. Typically, this means holes about 6–8 inches deep and wide.
Set the Plants
Place the raspberry canes in the hole so that the roots spread out naturally. The crown (where the roots meet the cane) should be about 1–2 inches below the surface. Backfill with soil and press gently to eliminate air pockets.
Water Well
Water each plant thoroughly after planting to help settle the soil around the roots.
Also see: Guide to all kinds of outdoor lighting for gardens
6. Mulch and Weed Control
Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch such as straw, shredded leaves, or wood chips around the base of each plant. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and moderates soil temperature.
Keep the area weed-free throughout the growing season. Weeds can outcompete young raspberry plants for vital resources.
7. Install a Support System
Raspberries grow best with support. Erecting a trellis or wire system keeps canes upright, improves air circulation, and makes harvesting easier.
One common setup is the T-trellis system:
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Drive wooden or metal posts at each end of the row
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Stretch two horizontal wires between the posts: one about 2 feet above ground and the other about 4 feet
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Tie canes loosely to the wires as they grow
For black or purple raspberries, a central leader system with individual stakes may be better, as they tend to grow more like bushes than vines.
8. Watering and Fertilizing
Watering
Raspberries need about 1–1.5 inches of water per week, especially during flowering and fruiting. Water at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to disease.
Fertilizing
In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) or composted manure around each plant. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leafy growth at the expense of fruit.
9. Pruning
Pruning practices depend on the type of raspberry:
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Summer-bearing varieties: After fruiting, cut old fruiting canes (floricanes) to the ground. Leave new canes (primocanes) to grow and fruit next year.
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Fall-bearing varieties: For a single fall crop, cut all canes to the ground in late winter or early spring. For two harvests, prune selectively—remove only the top portion of canes that fruited in fall.
Regular pruning encourages better fruiting, reduces disease, and keeps the patch manageable.
10. Monitor for Pests and Diseases
Common raspberry pests include:
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Japanese beetles
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Aphids
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Spider mites
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Cane borers
Fungal diseases like Botrytis (gray mold) or anthracnose can also affect raspberries, especially in humid climates.
To minimize issues:
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Keep the area weed-free
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Use clean, sharp tools
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Avoid overhead watering
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Rotate raspberry beds every 5–7 years if possible
Conclusion
Planting raspberry plants in the ground is a worthwhile endeavor that pays dividends in delicious, home-grown berries for years to come. With proper preparation, care, and maintenance, your raspberry patch will not only thrive but produce bountiful harvests season after season. By following the steps above—choosing the right variety, preparing the soil, spacing correctly, and managing water and support systems—you’ll set yourself up for raspberry-growing success.
Happy planting!