When to plant raspberries
You can do this in the spring, when the snow has melted, the soil has thawed and the threat of serious frost has passed. The optimal time for most regions is from late March to mid-May. But there is an important nuance: you need to have time to plant raspberries before the buds begin to bloom on the branches.
Another good period for planting berry bushes is from mid-August to mid-October (or even longer if we are talking about the southern regions). The main thing is to carry out the procedure 2-3 weeks before the arrival of frosts, so that the seedlings have time to build up the root system and prepare for wintering in a new place.
How to choose a seedling
Pay attention to the shoots – they must be at least 5 mm in diameter. Do not take seedlings with spots and damage on the branches – in most cases these are signs of disease. The roots of a healthy plant are well developed. Do not buy raspberries with rotten, withered roots. Also make sure they are free of fungus.
Also check with the seller the name and characteristics of the variety. There is a raspberry that bears fruit once a season, and there is a remontant raspberry – it gives a harvest several times from June to October.
How to prepare a place for planting raspberries
It is not at all difficult to create good conditions for the future berry grower.
Decide on a landing site
Find a sunny location, sheltered from the winds. Planting raspberries in the shade is not worth it: due to the lack of light, the berries will be small. In addition, keep in mind that the bushes grow quite quickly and intensively, so place the raspberry at least a meter from other plants.
Make a landing hole
The distance between the bushes should be about 1 m – so they will fully develop and grow without interfering with each other. In depth and width, make a hole 15–20 cm larger than the length and diameter of the root system of the seedling.
At the bottom, put rotted manure or compost in a layer of 10 cm, as well as 2 tablespoons of superphosphate and a glass of dry wood ash. Mix all ingredients thoroughly.
How to plant raspberries
Place the seedling in the hole so that the root neck – the junction of the roots and stems – is 3-5 cm below the ground. If necessary, add soil to the bottom or, conversely, remove the excess. Straighten the roots of the seedling.
Fill the bush with soil to the middle of the hole. Pour plenty of water over the seedling from a watering can with a diffuser nozzle and wait until the liquid is absorbed. As a result, the soil will shrink a little and fill the voids between the roots.
Fill the hole with the remaining soil to the top, lightly compacting it with your palms.
Water the seedling again. One plant will need about 2-3 liters of water.
Mulch the trunk circle with peat or compost. Scatter any of the components around the stems in a 10 cm layer. This mulch will give the raspberries extra nutrition.
Cut the stems of the seedling at the root. In the future, raspberries will release new fruiting shoots from dormant buds at the root collar.
How to care for raspberries after planting
Bushes need to be watered regularly, but do it sparingly. Watch the surface of the soil: the earth should not dry out. It is enough to water the raspberries once a week, and in dry weather – two or three times. One plant needs about 2-3 liters of water. And a couple of weeks before the onset of frost, watering should be stopped.
Feeding is not required in the first year. Raspberries will have enough of the nutrition that you put in the pit when planting. Also, don’t worry about sheltering the plants for the winter. Raspberries endure frost without additional insulation.