Of course, you can grow raspberries without any support, but a trellised raspberry is a thing of beauty. Growing raspberries on a trellis improve fruit quality, makes harvesting much easier, and reduces the incidence of diseases. Without training, the raspberries tend to grow every which way, making harvest and pruning a chore. Got your attention? Read on to find out how to trellis raspberry plants.
How to Trellis Raspberry Plants
Training raspberries to grow up a support doesn’t have to be complicated. A trellised raspberry plant may be composed of posts and twine. Space the posts around 15 feet (5 m.) apart and then support the canes with the twine. Of course, this should be viewed as a temporary trellis system and because the plants are perennials, it might be better to build something more permanent from the get-go. For the home garden, a two-wire permanent trellis is sufficient. You will need two wooden posts that are 3 to 5 inches (8-13 cm.) across and 6 to 8 feet (2 m.) in length. Set the posts 2 to 3 feet (61-91 cm.) into the soil and space them 15 to 20 feet (5-6 m.) apart. At or near the top of each post, nail or screw a 24 to 30 inch (61-76 cm.) long crosspiece. Space the wires 2 feet (61 cm.) apart and 3 to 4 feet (1 m.) above ground. In the spring after pruning, gently tie the raspberry canes to the support wires using twine or cloth strips. This will allow for better light penetration into the center of the plants, which will promote shoot development and, thus, a larger yield of berries. Growing raspberries on a trellis in this manner makes harvesting so much easier and facilitates pruning since trellising encourages new cane growth in the center rather than just along the outer edges of the hedgerow. Plus, some varieties such as the summer bearing ‘Dorimanred’ really require trellising to support their trailing growth habit.
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FAQs
A two-wire permanent trellis is commonly used for raspberries in the home garden. Its construction requires wooden posts, No. 12 or 14 galvanized wire, and 2- by 4-inch lumber. The wooden posts should be 3 to 5 inches in diameter and 6 to 8 feet long.
What is the best trellis system for raspberries? ›
A two-wire permanent trellis is commonly used for raspberries in the home garden. Its construction requires wooden posts, No. 12 or 14 galvanized wire, and 2- by 4-inch lumber. The wooden posts should be 3 to 5 inches in diameter and 6 to 8 feet long.
How tall does a raspberry trellis need to be? ›
A trellis can help make the crop easier to manage and keep the canes off the ground so that berries are cleaner and easier to pick. Sink two 8-foot pressure treated 4x4 posts about 3 feet deep in the ground with about 4 feet of the post above ground at anywhere from 10 to 20 feet apart.
What is the best support for raspberry canes? ›
Install a tall, sturdy post at each end of the row, plus extra posts at 3.6m (12ft) intervals if necessary. They should stand about 1.8m (6ft) tall. Attach three lengths of strong galvanized wire horizontally between the posts, at 60cm (2ft) intervals.
Do raspberries need to be trained? ›
Background: Training Raspberries
A properly trained raspberry plant will receive more sunlight where shoots develop, will allow for better airflow around the plant, and will make harvesting significantly easier.
How to train raspberries on a trellis? ›
Train Raspberry Canes:
- As your raspberry canes grow, gently guide them to grow up along the trellis. Use garden twine or soft plant ties to secure the individual canes to the wires or twine.
- Keep the canes spaced apart to allow for good air circulation and sunlight penetration. Remove any weak or dead canes.
Raspberry trees do best in soil that is moist but well-drained and slightly acidic (pH 5.5 – 6.5). If your soil is alkaline, you will have more success growing raspberries in pots. Plant raspberry trees in winter while they are dormant in a sunny, sheltered spot, about 50cm apart, in rows spaced 1.5-2m apart.
What happens if you don't prune raspberries? ›
Unpruned raspberry bushes will still grow, but won't yield more berries. Leaving them unpruned also makes them more prone to disease. Raspberries bear fruit on two-year old canes, the canes that sprouted last season. Here, they look much better.
Can I use a tomato cage for raspberries? ›
A simple trellis, fence, or even tomato cage works to keep raspberry plants (and the fruit) up off the ground. Space individual plants according to their mature width to avoid crowding and competing for nutrients.
Do coffee grounds help raspberry plants? ›
As a common household by-product, spent coffee grounds can also be used to fertilise raspberry plants. Providing nitrogen and other trace elements, used coffee grounds can help support vigorous growth, but as they are acidic, only use in moderation and not after September.
Water raspberry bushes regularly during the summer. Cut back on watering during the winter. Feed raspberry bushes in the spring, through early July. Harvest regularly to keep plants producing.
What is the best fertilizer for raspberries? ›
Raspberry plant fertilizer should be heavy in nitrogen, although a balanced type is often preferred. For instance, the best fertilizer for raspberry bushes is a 10-10-10 fertilizer or actual nitrogen at a rate of 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kg.) per 100 feet (30.4 m.)
What month do you cut raspberries back? ›
Summer-Bearing Red Raspberries
Remove all weak, diseased, and damaged canes at ground level in March or early April. Leave the most vigorous canes, those approximately 1/4 inch in diameter when measured 30 inches from the ground.
Why are raspberries hard to grow? ›
Raspberries perform poorly in heavy soils with poor drainage. They produce best when grown in raised beds in soil you amend before you plant. Raspberries perform poorly in a xeric environment. When you water them irregularly or inadequately, you might get short plants.
What type of trellis is best for raspberries? ›
A T-Frame is probably the most common trellis for summer-fruiting raspberries. They're made by sinking sturdy posts into the ground, then fixing two horizontals to it. The top plank (or bar) is the broadest and forms the top part of the T. The second plank, which is shorter, is placed lower on the upright post.
Should you use a trellis for raspberries? ›
The common raspberry (Rubus idaeus) grows on long, woody stems called canes. Each raspberry plant produces vigorous canes which quickly spread to become tall, unruly, over-crowded and rather prickly. Fortunately, you can help tame red, gold, black or purple raspberry bushes in your garden by using a trellis.
What is the best frame for raspberries? ›
A T-Frame is probably the most common trellis for summer-fruiting raspberries. They're made by sinking sturdy posts into the ground, then fixing two horizontals to it. The top plank (or bar) is the broadest and forms the top part of the T. The second plank, which is shorter, is placed lower on the upright post.
How do you control raspberry vines? ›
To keep the raspberries from infiltrating the vegetable bed, you could install a root barrier such as gardeners use to contain bamboo. Even more simply, you could set the planting area apart from the veggies with fairly deep edging material–such as one might use to keep grass from invading garden beds.
What is the best spacing for raspberries? ›
Plant spacing
Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart in the rows. Some fall-bearing raspberries can be planted at 1.5-foot spacing and produce higher yields. The plants spread quickly after the planting year by putting up more canes, rapidly filling in the space of the rows.
