Growing Raspberries in Southwest Idaho
One of the many
things I love about living in Southwest Idaho is that we have a wonderful climate
for growing raspberries. Did you know that raspberries come in 2 types? You can choose to plant either summer bearing (floricane), or fall bearing
(primocane) plants in your garden. Summer- bearing raspberries produce
one crop of fruit in early to midsummer. Fall-bearing raspberries produce
two crops, one in mid-summer and another in late summer or early fall. They
also come in 4
colors: red, yellow, black and purple. Whichever type and color you choose
to grow, you can have success with proper planting, care and pruning of your
bramble.
Raspberries grow best in sandy loam, well-draining soil. Planting in soil with standing water or poor drainage can cause root rot to take hold. Plant in an area that receives at least 6 hours of full sun per day. Before planting, make sure your chosen site is free of perennial weeds. A clean bed makes for happy, healthy plants! Plant your berries as soon as the ground becomes workable in the spring. Fertilize your plants in the spring as well using a fertilizer low in chlorides. A “complete” fertilizer containing phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium and sometimes other plant nutrients is a good choice. This is a great publication on fertilizing raspberries.
Proper watering and yearly pruning are needed
for the best possible harvest. To ensure a good berry size, raspberries
require consistent irrigation from bloom through harvest. Avoid overwatering
your plants. Raspberries cannot tolerate wet soil as they are susceptible to
root rot. Watering the soil at the base of the plant is the best method as
overhead sprinklers can cause fruit and cane disease. Pruning done properly
improves light and air movement and removes dead, weak and damaged canes.
It reduces disease problems and pests that affect the quality of your
berries. Summer-bearing and fall-bearing raspberry types are pruned
differently -- prune your summer-bearing raspberries twice each year, once in
late fall to early spring and once after the summer harvest. Fall-bearing
raspberries need to be pruned in late fall.
