How to Care for Red Raspberries
- 1). Work ample organic matter, such as aged manure, into the soil prior to planting the red raspberry bush. Mix 50 percent organic matter with 50 percent garden soil.
- 2). Dig a hole twice as large as the red raspberry bush's root system. Place the plant into the hole at the same level it was planted in its nursery container.
- 3). Push the soil and organic matter around the red raspberry bush's root system. Press the soil down to remove any air pockets.
- 4). Space the red raspberry bushes 3 feet apart to allow ample room for growth. Locate each row 6 to 8 feet apart.
- 5). Water the red raspberry plant thoroughly. Keep the plant moist but not overly wet. Apply approximately 1 to 2 inches of water every week.
- 6). Apply 3 to 4 inches of mulch around the base of the red raspberry plant to reduce weed growth and keep the plant moist. Hand-pull any weeds around the red raspberry bush.
- 7). Fertilize the red raspberry bush in April. Apply 10 lbs. of general purpose 10-10-10 fertilizer for every 1,000 square feet of garden space. Water the fertilizer thoroughly into the soil. Wait six weeks and apply 10 more lbs. of general purpose fertilizer to the plants. Water it into the soil.
- 8). Prune away any canes during the summer months that grow outside an 18-inch radius around the plant. Remove any canes that show signs of disease or serious insect damage. Discard the canes.
- 9). Harvest red raspberries as they become ripe. The ripe berries will easily pull away from the plant.
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