by Kimberley A. Willis

Created on: August 26, 2009

How to Grow Raspberries- a Sweet Summer Treat

What says summer more than a handful of tart-sweet raspberries? Raspberries are the perfect fruit for gardeners to grow because fresh raspberries are difficult to ship and very expensive when found in grocery stores. Raspberries are easy for gardeners to grow compared to other fruit, and don't take much space.

Raspberries are a cool climate crop; they require a chilling period each winter to set fruit. There are varieties of raspberries that are hardy as far north as zone 3.

Choosing varieties

Raspberries come in red, purple, yellow and black. There are summer bearing - [late June- July,] and ever-bearing, - small crops in June and again in August-September. Fall bearing raspberries are just ever-bearing varieties that are pruned so that they have only one heavier crop in the fall. Summer bearing raspberries produce the heaviest crops; you can freeze or can the excess. If you like fresh raspberries over a long season choose a few plants each of summer bearing and ever-bearing. Red summer bearers include Latham, zones 4-7, Boyne, and Kilarney, zone 3- 8. Royalty is a purple summer raspberry for zones 4-8. Jewel and Bristol Black are black summer raspberries for zones 4-8. Polena, zone 3-8 and Hertitage, zone 4-8, are two red ever-bearing raspberries. Caroline is a good red, ever-bearing raspberry for southern areas, zones 4-8. Kiwigold is a yellow ever-bearing raspberry for zones 4-8.

Growing raspberries

Raspberries should be planted in the early spring. Buy certified, disease free raspberry plants from a good nursery. Generally raspberries are sold as dormant roots, with a little stub of stem as a handle. You can store these dormant roots in a cool place - [32- 50 degrees], for a few days until you are ready to plant them. Sometimes you will find potted raspberry plants in nurseries. Even if you love raspberries, a small family will only need from 6-12 plants. Raspberries spread, and a small row will soon be larger. Plant raspberries about 2 foot apart in rows that are about 8 foot apart.

One of the best things you can do to ensure success with raspberries is to prepare your planting area in advance. Clear the area so there is no grass or weeds left in the row. To grow raspberries so that they are easy to care for, they should be attached to a trellis system of some sort. You can put sturdy posts at the end of each row and string heavy-duty wires or cables between the posts, or you can use fencing

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