Raspberries do not take up too much space, they produce even more fruit than strawberries and they are among the easiest fruits to grow.
The small amount of work you put into your raspberry patch is well rewarded.
Planting
Plant raspberries from late autumn to early spring when the soil can be worked. Work liberal amounts of well-rotted manure or good compost into the soil.
Spade a deep slit in the soil, place the root ball inside, and carefully fan out the roots. Be sure to water thoroughly. Firmly press the soil around the roots.
Cut back the tops to about 6 inches in height (if needed) to encourage the production of vigorous new canes.
Site and Soil
Almost any soil is satisfactory for growing raspberry plants.
It should be well drained but not too sandy unless irrigation is available.
Select a gently sloping area with good drainage. Poor drainage often increases the chance of late spring frost injury and the occurrence of diseases such as anthracnose and spur blight.
Watering
Mulch is your friend! Raspberries like moisture and lots of water without being boggy. Mulch between rows and around plants, 3-4 inches deep with straw or leaves.
Keep your raspberry patch watered, both to start and continuing on throughout its life.
Fertilizer
For maximum yields, fertilize your raspberry patch every year in the spring (around the middle of May), using about 1 pound of balanced fertilizer for every 20 feet of rows, or 1/2 cup around each plant. Broadcast the fertilizer between rows and work into the top few inches of soil.
Thinning
Raspberry canes grow the first year and produce fruit the next year. Do not allow any fruit to set on the canes the first year after transplanting. Old canes die out and new ones take their place.
Remove old canes as soon as the fruit is harvested. New canes and suckers should be thinned, leaving 6 to 8 strong canes per foot of row or about 7 strong canes per hill, depending on your layout. Trim all remaining canes to about 24 inches high.
Disease Control
Several diseases, the most common of which are viral or fungal in origin, can afflict raspberries. Stop disease in its tracks by planting certified stock from a trusted greenhouse, destroying old canes after harvest, thinning new canes properly, and cultivating carefully.
That’s it. Keep them watered, thin the patch as directed, protect in the winter, and enjoy your sun-warmed raspberries fresh from your very own garden.