Raspberries are a delightful addition to any home garden, offering sweet, juicy berries that can be enjoyed fresh, made into jam, or added to desserts. One of the best things about growing raspberries is that they are perennial plants, meaning they will return year after year with minimal effort. Properly planting raspberry canes and providing them with the right care can lead to a productive harvest for many years to come.

In this guide, we will discuss how to plant raspberry canes, including the essential steps to ensure healthy plants and abundant fruit. We’ll also cover growing raspberries, how deep to bury raspberry canes, and how far apart to plant raspberry canes. With the right preparation, you’ll be well on your way to enjoying delicious raspberries in your backyard.

Before planting, it’s important to understand the different types of raspberries, as this can influence how they are cared for long-term.

• Summer-bearing raspberries: These varieties produce one large crop per year, typically in early to mid-summer. They grow on second-year canes, known as floricanes, which bear fruit and then die back after harvest.
• Ever-bearing (or fall-bearing) raspberries: These varieties produce two crops: one in late summer or early fall on first-year canes (primocanes), and another smaller crop the following summer on the same canes.

The planting process is similar for both types, but their care and pruning schedules differ slightly. 

How to Plant Raspberry Canes

Raspberries thrive in well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight. Follow these steps to give your raspberry canes the best start:

*Note: Raspberry canes can take up to three to six weeks to show growth!

Raspberries prefer full sun, meaning they need at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day to grow and fruit well. Choose a location in your garden that gets plenty of direct sunlight and has good air circulation to help prevent diseases.

It’s also important to avoid areas where plants from the nightshade family (such as tomatoes, peppers, or potatoes) were previously grown, as they can carry diseases that affect raspberries.

Before planting raspberry canes, it’s essential to prepare the soil. Raspberries prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. You can test your soil’s pH using a home test kit or send a sample to a local extension service.

If your soil pH is too high (alkaline), you can lower it by adding organic matter such as peat moss or sulfur. If the pH is too low (acidic), you can raise it by incorporating lime. When using peat moss, make sure to add it to the soil wet. Otherwise, peat moss can initially steal water from the roots. 

Additionally, raspberries need well-drained soil to prevent root rot. If your soil has poor drainage, consider planting on raised beds or adding organic matter, like compost or aged manure, to improve soil structure and drainage. 

If pH is correct and better draining soil is all you need, then adding 30% sand will be a helpful amendment. 

One of the most common questions when planting raspberries is how deep to bury raspberry canes. Proper planting depth is crucial for healthy root development and overall plant growth.

When planting raspberry canes, dig a hole or trench deep only about two inches deep. Oftentimes, growth from raspberry canes will be from shoots coming up from the roots. Sometimes growth will come from the cane, but more reliably it will come off the roots. The crown of the raspberry cane, where the stem meets the roots, should be placed at soil level or just slightly below. The top of the cane should remain above ground, while the roots are spread out below.

Backfill the hole with soil, gently pressing down to remove any air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting to help the soil settle around the roots.

Spacing is another critical factor when planting raspberries. Proper spacing ensures that each plant gets enough light, air circulation, and nutrients, which helps prevent disease and encourages healthy growth.

For most raspberry varieties, the ideal spacing is as follows:

• Plant Spacing: Space raspberry canes about 2-3 feet apart in rows.
• Row spacing: Leave 6-8 feet between rows to allow easy access for harvesting and maintenance.

If you are planting ever-bearing or summer-bearing raspberries, be sure to provide adequate spacing for trellising, which helps support the canes as they grow taller.

After planting, water the raspberry canes. The raspberry cane and it's roots need to stay consistently moist to grow. Although, be careful to not overwater as this can lead to root rot.

If you live in a dry environment, using a humidity dome to keep the raspberry cane moist is recommended.
Caring for Raspberry Plants After Planting

After planting your raspberry canes, it’s important to care for them properly to ensure healthy growth and a bountiful harvest. Here are some key tips for growing raspberries:

As stated above, raspberry cane's roots and cane need consistent moisture to begin growing successfully. If you are in a low humidity location, using a humidity dome over the cane to keep it moist is recommended.

During their first year of growth, they will also need consistent watering. Water them regularly to keep the soil evenly moist, but avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot. 

Once growing, a drip irrigation system or soaker hose can help deliver water directly to the roots without wetting the foliage.

During dry spells or hot weather, you may need to water more frequently to prevent the soil from drying out.

Mulching around the base of your raspberry plants can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Use organic mulch, such as straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves, and apply a 2-3 inch layer around the plants. Be sure not to pile mulch directly against the stems to prevent rot.

Raspberries benefit from a balanced fertilizer applied in early spring and again in midsummer. Use a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen, as too much nitrogen can encourage excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit production. A 10-10-10 fertilizer or an organic alternative, such as compost or well-rotted manure, works well for raspberries.

4. Pruning

Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy raspberry plants and ensuring good fruit production. For summer-bearing varieties, prune out the old canes (floricanes) after they have finished fruiting. Leave the new canes (primocanes) to bear fruit the following year.

For ever-bearing varieties, prune the canes that bore fruit in the fall to ground level in late winter or early spring, and leave the new growth to produce berries the following season.

Growing raspberries is a process that takes time and patience, but the results are well worth the effort. Here are the key stages of raspberry growth:

After planting in late fall or early spring, raspberry canes will enter a period of dormancy if the weather is cold. During this time, the roots will establish themselves in the soil, preparing for new growth in the spring.

As temperatures warm in spring, raspberry plants will begin to produce new shoots and leaves. These shoots will grow rapidly, and you may need to provide support with a trellis or stakes, especially for tall varieties.

Once the canes have grown to maturity, they will start producing flowers, which will eventually develop into raspberries. Summer-bearing varieties will produce flowers on second-year canes, while ever-bearing varieties may produce flowers on both first- and second-year canes.

Raspberry harvest usually begins in early to mid-summer for summer-bearing varieties and in late summer for ever-bearing varieties. The berries are ripe when they are fully colored, firm, and easy to pick from the cane.

Learning how to plant raspberry canes is an essential first step to enjoying homegrown berries in your garden. By selecting the right location, preparing the soil, and following the proper planting techniques, you can establish healthy, productive raspberry plants that will provide fruit for many years.

Whether you’re growing raspberries for fresh eating, preserving, or baking, the rewards of a bountiful raspberry harvest are well worth the effort. By following the steps outlined above, and knowing how deep to bury raspberry canes and how far apart to plant raspberry canes, you’ll set your raspberry plants up for success and ensure healthy growth throughout the seasons.

Happy planting, and enjoy your delicious homegrown raspberries!