Add fruit-producing plants in your garden by transplanting raspberry canes in an area that receives full sunlight for at least eight hours a day. Plan ahead before adding these berries to your garden space, because the best time to transplant is in early spring. Raspberries multiply in the garden and can be removed from the yard of someone looking to thin out their raspberry patch, or you can purchase raspberry canes from a garden center. Raspberries produce fruit on two-year-old canes when properly transplanted in a prepared growing area.
Test the soil in a planting area that receives full sunlight to verify it has a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. Amend the soil with ground rock sulfur to decrease the pH, using the package instructions based on the current pH for the proper amount of sulfur, and let the soil rest for about six months before transplanting. Add horticulture limestone, using the package instructions, if the pH is lower than 5.5, and let the soil rest for about two weeks.
Spread 3 inches of compost on the planting area, and till it to a depth of about 8 inches to work it into the soil.
Build 10-inch-high and 18-inch-wide mound rows for transplanting the raspberry canes. Space the rows 24 inches apart.
Dig planting holes that are the same depth as the raspberry canes were previously growing and about twice as wide as the root mass. Set the root mass into the hole, and spread out any exposed roots. Pack soil around the root mass to hold the canes in place. Space the canes 36 inches apart in the row to allow room for the plants to spread.
Cut the transplanted raspberry canes to a height of 6 inches to promote new growth on the canes.
Spread about 3 inches of mulch around the transplanted canes to limit weed growth and hold moisture in the soil during periods of low rain.
Moisten the soil generously with water to promote root growth and establishment. Keep the soil around the raspberry canes evenly moist during the growing season when the weekly rainfall amount is less than 1 inch.
Apply a 10-10-10 fertilizer for fruit-producing plants to the soil around the canes once the first blooms appear, following the manufacturer's instructions for the appropriate amount to use for your raspberry plants. Apply a second application of fertilizer after harvest to ensure your transplants remain health and become well established.
Things You Will Need
- pH soil test kit
- Ground rock sulfur or limestone (optional)
- Pruning clipper
- Soaker hose or other irrigation system
- 10-10-10 fertilizer
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