Raspberries from the supermarket are usually tasteless. It is therefore worthwhile to cultivate raspberries yourself. We show what you should consider when planting a raspberry bush in your own garden.
A summer without raspberries (Rubus idaeus) is unimaginable for most people. But the fruits are quite expensive in stores and the taste is not at all reminiscent of the sweet and sour raspberries that used to be nibbled from grandma's garden. If those aren't good reasons to plant raspberries in the garden yourself. Here's how to grow raspberries.
There are a few things to consider when planting raspberries. Below we have summarized the most important information on the cultivation of raspberries for you - from the time of planting to the choice of location.
When do you plant raspberries?
Ideally, you should plant raspberries in autumn. This way, the roots have enough time over the fall and winter months to slowly establish themselves. However, it is just as possible to plant raspberries in spring. Depending on whether you plant summer or autumn raspberries, it will take a little longer before you can harvest for the first time. With summer raspberries that are planted in spring, fruit cannot be expected in the same year. With autumn raspberries, on the other hand, you can sometimes harvest the first raspberries in autumn after planting.
The perfect spot for planting raspberries
You should choose a sunny and sheltered place for raspberries. Draft and harsh locations with winter cold temperatures below -15 °C are not tolerated by most varieties. In addition, the raspberry prefers soil that is nutrient-rich and permeable. There it is possible to counteract root diseases that occur on waterlogged soil. However, the soil requirement of the raspberry is rather low overall, it only grows poorly on very stony soil. Raspberry bushes form sprawling roots. Therefore, do not place your favorites too close together to avoid losses due to competition. Within a row, there should be a planting distance of at least 80 cm between the raspberries. The row spacing should also not be too narrow, so that the soilwatering and care is not too compacted. To ensure that all plants get enough light and are adequately ventilated, you should choose a distance of at least 1.20 to 1.60 m between the individual rows. This also effectively prevents fungal diseases from spreading in the plants, because the foliage always dries off quickly.
Tip: There are upright and climbing raspberry varieties. Climbing varieties should not only be planted 80 cm apart, but better have a space of 2 - 4 m to the next plant.
Planting raspberries: The right approach
In order for the raspberry variety of your choice to feel comfortable in its new home, there are a few things to consider. We guide you in planting your raspberry in the garden.
The" is needed for planting raspberries
To plant a raspberry you need the following materials:
- Raspberry bush
- A spade
- Secateurs
- Planting substrate
- A coconut mat
- A piece of string
Tip: Bare root raspberries should always be kept moist before planting so that the sensitive root system does not dry out. For example, you can lay the roots loosely in moist soil and cover them - or wrap them with wet cloth.
Plant raspberries: dig planting hole
It is perfect to loosen the soil well within a radius of 1 m and then place the raspberries in the middle of this loose soil. If you only dig one planting hole, you should use the size of the root ball of the raspberry plant as a guide: the planting hole should be at least twice as deep and wide. Then fill the bottom of the hole with a little fresh soil. A special substrate for berry plants is particularly suitable here. A soil activator such as our Plantura organic soil activator can also be added to further promote root formation and to make it easier for the plant to grow in the new location.
Prepare raspberries before planting
Raspberries are often available in pots as bare-root plants. In the case of bare-rooted plants, you should cut off injured roots cleanly. Before you plant raspberries with pot balls, you should score the root ball all around and then loosen it up with your hands. This promotes the formation of new roots so that the raspberry grows faster. If the root ball seems particularly dry to you, it is advisable to briefly immerse it in a water bath,until he gets really full. If the rods are also unwieldy long, they are shortened to 30 to 50 cm. Otherwise, make this cut after planting.
Insert raspberry in planting hole
If the raspberry is ready to move, it can be used. The planting hole is now filled with a mixture of soil and substrate. At the same time, a suitable fertilizer for raspberries can also be worked in.
The buds directly at the base of the shoot should be covered by about 5 cm of soil when planted. Any cavities can be closed by gently treading on the soil around the root ball. Then the plant is watered abundantly. Because raspberries do not appreciate competition from weeds at all in their growth area, a coconut mat is now placed around the trunk, or another natural mulch material is distributed.
Tip: If you plant your raspberry in a warm season, you should now model a watering rim out of soil so that you can easily support the plant with enough water during the growth phase.
Build a climbing aid for raspberries
Many raspberry varieties grow very wide and form long tendrils. Depending on which variety you have chosen, a raspberry climbing aid is urgently needed and can help to give the rods stability. When building a climbing aid, it is important to use stable and weather-resistant material. If there is a garden fence nearby, you can also attach individual tendrils to it. There are even raspberry varieties (e.g. 'Aroma Queen') that, thanks to their more compact growth, can do without any climbing aids.
Tip: Raspberries are often damaged by fungal leaf and cane diseases. If you don't have enough space to ensure a wide stand of several plants, you can install a roof against the rain. On the side, however, the shelter should be open enough to be able to dissolve a moist microclimate through air movement - a little after watering.
Planting Raspberries - Summary:
- Loosen the soil within a meter radius or dig a planting hole at least twice as big as the root ball
- Add substrate and soil activator to the planting hole
- Moisten the root ball for a few minutes, free bare-rooted plants from injured roots
- Shorten rods to about 30 - 50 cm
- Insert plant
- Water well
- Undermulch material
- Build a trellis if necessary
Planting raspberries in pots
Normally, the raspberry is purely a garden plant, as it has a far-reaching root system and develops plenty of long canes. However, there are now varieties on the market that grow upright and form comparatively short shoots. Nevertheless, you should consider a few things if you want to plant raspberries in tubs on the balcony or terrace:
- Use a large bucket (at least 25 liters volume) to ensure sufficient space for root formation.
- Provide a drainage layer (e.g. coarse gravel) in the planter and drill individual holes in the bottom of the container so that the raspberry roots do not suffer from waterlogging.
- Choose a location sheltered from the wind to prevent tipping.
- Choose a sunny spot.
- Best place in front of a south wall.
Because the raspberry has only limited space to spread on the balcony, the harvest is limited. We therefore recommend anyone who has a garden and can create a bed to plant raspberries there and use planters on the terrace or balcony for other crops that take up less space, such as tomatoes, radishes, herbs, strawberries or similar.
Not enough raspberries yet? Here are 10 pro tips that are guaranteed to make growing raspberries in your garden a success.