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Planting Raspberries

Source: NDSU Extension Service Horticulturist

Raspberries are an important source of fruit for jam, sauce, and fresh fruit for the family table. Growing conditions such as cold winters and hot dry summers are not always conducive to good growth and production. However, the home gardener can enjoy reasonable success with raspberries most seasons.

Boyne is a summer bearing variety that is excellent for home gardens. The tender, glossy, dark red, medium-sized fruit is good for processing and freezing. Canes are moderately vigorous, sturdy, winter hardy and very productive. Boyne is generally available from area nurseries and mail order firms, and is recommended for general planting throughout North Dakota.

Set raspberry plants in early spring. Prune the canes to within six inches of the ground at planting time for best results. For home garden plantings, a single hedge row at one end or along one side of the garden is desirable.

Space new plants 3-4 feet apart in the row. They will fill into a solid hedge row when cultivated on both sides of the row. Raspberry plantings should be cultivated thoroughly and frequently. If weeds and grasses get a start, they are difficult to control.

Additional information on this topic is included in the Extension bulletin H-38, "Raspberries," which is available at your county office of the NDSU Extension Service.

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