Raspberries are relatively easy to grow, and with the right care and maintenance, can be an extremely productive crop in your garden. Lisa Devetter, Assistant Professor of Berry Crops at Washington State University (WSU), joins us on today’s podcast to talk about raspberry growing considerations, including the differences between June-bearing and Everbearing varieties. Lisa’s program emphasis at WSU is on maximizing productivity and fruit quality, as well as ensuring the health of adjacent natural resources critical for berry crop production.
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June bearing or Floricane raspberries pruned for winter
SHOW NOTES:
In this episode, we discuss:
Ideal growing conditions for raspberries, including water and fertilization needs
How to thin plants before they fruit in early summer
Pruning considerations for both June-bearing and Everbearing raspberries
Favorite varieties and what to look for when selecting a raspberry type
Important Take-aways:
Raspberries are heavy feeders. Apply a balanced fertilizer 3 times during the spring and early summer to make sure they have enough nutrients. Water consistently with drip irrigation.
Raspberries should be contained in rows of about one foot, with spacing of 4-6 canes per square foot. Thin as needed in the spring to achieve this spacing, removing the weakest looking canes.
Primocane (commonly known as Everbearing, or Fall-bearing) raspberries produce fruit at the top of first-year canes in late summer. If allowed to overwinter, these same canes will produce fruit again in early summer of the second year. Prune just the top part of the cane off and the plant will fruit again in the spring.
Floricane (commonly know as June-bearing, or summer-bearing) raspberries produce fruit on the previous year’s growth. Unlike primocane-fruiting raspberries, these canes must remain intact throughout the winter and following growing season, until harvest. Prune the canes that produced fruit to the ground and leave the new canes to produce fruit next year.
Tulameen is a universal favorite variety. When selecting raspberries, look for a variety that is adapted to your region and has good disease resistance.
Berry books we recommend:
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