One of the simplest ways to dramatically increase the yield of your raspberries is to plant them in raised beds. Here’s a breakdown for growing raspberries in raised beds.
Raised beds are beds that are grown not in the ground, but rather on top of another material, such as concrete or wood. These allow you to add soil directly to the bed without compacting it down. So it can expand as the roots of your raspberry plants grow out.
If you’re looking for an economical and low-maintenance way to get more fruit from your raspberry plants, this method will be well worth your time! Here’s how to grow raspberries in raised beds.
What are raspberries?
Raspberries are delicious berries that can be grown all across America. They can be eaten fresh, or used in a variety of recipes for things like pies, smoothies, and jam.
They grow on thorny bushes that produce fruit for up to five years if cared for properly. There are three types of raspberry plants: red raspberries, black raspberries, and golden raspberries.
The bush height varies from six to twenty-four inches tall with red varieties being shorter than black varieties.
Why grow them in raised beds?
Growing raspberries in raised beds is a great idea because they can be grown without any pesticides.
Growers plant raspberry plants throughout the bed, which leaves plenty of room for people to walk through and pick berries.
Plus, with raised beds, you can grow more plants per square foot than you could if they were growing directly in the ground.
And finally, it’s great because there are no weeds to pull and you don’t have to worry about pests or mildew.
What size raised bed for raspberries?
Raspberries are a low-growing, spreading type of berry that can be grown in raised beds with at least 12 inches of depth.
The raspberry raised bed depth should be at least 12 inches deep so that the roots of the plants have enough space to grow.
You may need to amend your soil to make it more acidic before planting as raspberries require slightly acidic soil to thrive.
If you’re using potting soil or commercial compost, the pH levels might be too high for raspberry bushes.
You’ll want to mix lime into the top few inches of soil and water thoroughly until it’s well incorporated before adding any raspberry plants or seeds.
I typically add about 1/2 cup of agricultural-grade lime per square foot of raspberry raised bed depth. Lime helps to lower the pH level and create an environment where fungus won’t thrive.
After mixing in the lime and watering, wait two weeks before starting to plant. When preparing your raspberry raised bed depth area.
Try to use looser soil than what is used for most berry crops like blueberries because they will develop deeper root systems over time.
Make sure there is no mulch close by as mulch will compete with the raspberry plants’ roots for water and nutrients. The best time of year to plant raspberry bushes is late fall or early winter when they’re dormant.
What type of soil do they need?
Raspberries need a deep layer of acidic soil with plenty of organic material to prevent compaction.
Planting raspberries in raised beds will provide them with the protection and excellent growing conditions they need.
However, you should avoid growing your raspberries near other plants that will compete for nutrients and shade them from sunlight.
Growing raspberries in raised beds will also make harvesting much easier! You can simply walk up the bed instead of crawling on your hands and knees to harvest those berries.
How do I make a raised bed for raspberries?
For this project, you’ll need to purchase lumber. You can make your raised bed any size, but it’s a good idea to make it at least three feet wide so that you can reach into the center without stepping into it.
The height of your raised bed will depend on how deep you want your raspberry roots to grow.
If you have a long row of raspberries, for example, then you’ll want the beds to be about six inches deep. That depth can accommodate root growth between plants. If your rows are shorter, then four inches is sufficient.
How to plant and care for your raspberry plants
Growing raspberries in raised beds may take a little more work at first, but after it becomes established it will take care of itself and provide an abundance of delicious berries year-round.
Plus, the best part about growing raspberries in raised beds? You don’t have to bend over and risk straining your back while harvesting them!
Growing raspberries in raised beds is a great way to save space and make your raspberry garden more manageable. Just follow these steps:
1) Put down a weed barrier before you plant your raspberries. This will help keep your bed free from pesky weeds that will compete with your plants for nutrients.
2) Fill up the bed with soil to get an even level of coverage. You may want to add some fertilizer, which is good for stimulating growth and producing larger berries. If you have time, let this soil sit for several days before planting so it can air out and dry out.
3) Plant your raspberry plants at least 18 inches apart (or as much as 3 feet), depending on how many plants you want growing together.
4) Once planted, water them thoroughly and give them a light sprinkling every day or two to ensure they don’t dry out.
5) When it’s time to harvest the fruit, pick the entire bunch by gently twisting each one off its stem.
6) To maintain your raspberry garden without needing any weeding or watering, remove any unproductive parts of the plant that grow up above ground level.
Make sure you’re growing raspberries in raised beds with good drainage and a good source of the sun. Then as you harvest them, they should be eaten or frozen within a week to prevent mold growth.
Make sure you keep these tips in mind when growing raspberries in raised beds and enjoy eating them for many months to come!
How often should you water them?
It’s important to know how often you should water raspberry plants because too much or too little can have a negative effect.
Too much water will cause root rot, while too little water can result in dry leaves and stunted growth. It is recommended that you check your soil weekly and add enough water to keep it evenly moist.
The depth of the soil should be no more than two inches deep if you’re growing them in raised beds.
They like having access to lots of suns so it’s best to place them in a sunny area with plenty of room for air circulation.
You’ll want to take care not to overwater your raspberry plants, as they don’t like soggy soil.
You may need to consider using some form of mulch around their roots (such as straw) during periods of drought.
Read More: How Deep Do Raspberry Roots Grow? (Detailed Explanation)
What pests and diseases do they commonly experience?
One of the most significant challenges that raspberry growers face is a disease. The raspberry plants are susceptible to common garden diseases such as powdery mildew, root rot, and gray mold.
In addition, they are also susceptible to insect pests such as deer flies, russet mites, raspberry beetles, slugs, and snails.
The best way to avoid these pests and diseases is by planting your raspberries in raised beds with at least 18 inches of depth so that there is a barrier between ground-level insects and your plants.
Be sure to add a layer of organic material into your raised bed before you plant to provide additional insulation against pests and diseases.
When and how do you harvest them?
You need to harvest them when they have reached their peak of ripeness; otherwise, you will be left with an under-ripe raspberry. The later you harvest them, the more difficult it will be to get a good yield as they produce less and less fruit.
The best time to harvest them is between early July and late August because this is when they are at their peak of ripeness.
If you wait any longer than this, your raspberry plants will start producing fewer and fewer berries that are lower in sugar content. So if you want to keep harvesting for weeks or even months, plant the raspberry bushes closer together.
Tips for storing your raspberries
Keeping raspberries stored correctly is important so they can last longer.
To start, make sure you’re growing raspberries in raised beds with good drainage and a good source of the sun. Then as you harvest them, they should be eaten or frozen within a week to prevent mold growth.
Growing raspberries in raised beds also mean that harvesting your berries will be easy because they are easier to reach.
So not only do they grow well in raised beds but you’ll have an easier time picking your berries too. Make sure you keep these tips in mind when growing raspberries in raised beds. You’ll enjoy eating them for many months to come!
Conclusion
Raised beds are beds that are grown not in the ground, but rather on top of another material, such as concrete or wood.
Growing raspberries in raised beds may take a little more work at first. But after it becomes established it will take care of itself and provide an abundance of delicious berries year-round.
