Raspberries – Tips from the yard

So my sister asks me how we maintain our raspberries to get the to grow so well. Honestly there’s not a lot we do. Two things I find work well are keeping the weeds down and cutting them back appropriately.

Cutting them back requires a little understanding of the growth cycle. Our raspberries fruit twice a year. However new shoots tend to only fruit at the end if their first year if you’re lucky. Year old shoots will fruit twice. These older shoots should be cut back after the last fruit of the season or before serious growth begins. You can tell which of the stalks are the oldest because they will be hard and brown or grey. The newer shoots will be a health brown to greenish in color. First year stalks will be much more flexible than older ones.

Cut back old stalks a few inches from the ground. Be sure to stake the stalks early and frequently to allow for maximum air and light.

Fertilize now and then to ensure good soil.

NOTE: raspberries are in the same family as poison ivy. Use caution when using weed killers or you will kill this scrumptious delight

Good luck and enjoy!!!