It’s never a good idea to transplant raspberries in the summer, but if you have to do it for bramble bushes, these tips can help you do it as well as possible.
As I dug a hole in the sod of our old front sheep pasture, I asked myself, “Is there ever a right or wrong way to do things?” The first question that kept going through my mind was, “What kind of crazy woman moves raspberries in the middle of summer?” This one was a little nicer.
Because thats what I was doing. And yes – August really is a terrible time to transplant just about anything.
Really, is there ANY month worse than August for moving raspberries? The correct answer might be “Nope,” but I think the real answer might be “Yes.” Its the month that never comes. “.
It looked like more than 100 young Taylor raspberry plants had grown from the roots of the ten I planted when we first moved in. Theyre in an area thats really too shady, so none of them were all that happy. Even though their living conditions aren’t great, they still grow some delicious raspberries every year. In a better location, they would absolutely shine.
In the beginning of the summer, I had the idea to put rows of berry bushes where our front sheep pasture used to be. I can’t wait to move these young canes to their new homes. Id been waiting for fall, but Im learning to be more realistic about time.
Spring and Fall are mightily busy seasons for me here on the homestead. Because my husband works long hours and has a long commute, I do all the day-to-day homesteading tasks, like planting, taking care of the animals, pruning, and all the other things that come up when you choose this way of life.
As fall approaches and the weather gets cooler, I know I’ll have a lot to do. This is the best time to move plants around here in Zone 4b. Ill be stacking 5 cords of firewood for the coming winter. Ill be harvesting, and tending the fall gardens. There will be afternoons of butchering work, putting extra young cockerels in the freezer. And (this is the part I’m most excited about!) this will be our first “real” year of homeschooling, and the kids and I will be getting used to it.
Its going to be a busy season. Based on how things usually work, I would bet that if I put this project off until fall, it would be shelved in favor of more important work. So I chose to move them now, when I have time during the slow summer months. I would take good care of them, and even if only half of them made it and did well, that would be a great start for our permanent raspberry bed.
In the end, I transplanted well over 100 young raspberry bushes. I tried a lot of different things, at all times of the day, and you know me—I wrote everything down. On the whole, theyre doing surprisingly well. But the ones that have really done well and don’t look like they were moved at all have a few things in common.
Putting raspberries in the ground in the summer seems to have a “right” and “wrong” way to do it. Given what I’ve seen, these are the tips I strongly suggest you follow if you ever need to move cane fruit when it’s hot outside.
As an avid gardener and raspberry lover, I was thrilled when my neighbor offered me some raspberry suckers from his garden Raspberry suckers are shoots that come up from the roots of existing plants, creating an easy way to get new raspberry bushes I couldn’t wait to transplant these gifted raspberry suckers to start my own patch.
Raspberries are not only delicious, but quite easy to grow. With just a little TLC, these hardy bushes will reward you with ample harvests for years to come. Transplanting raspberry suckers is a simple, inexpensive way to get started growing your own. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process step-by-step.
When is the Best Time to Transplant Raspberry Bushes?
Raspberries can be transplanted in early spring before the leaves emerge or in late fall after leaf drop. Spring and fall are ideal because the plants are dormant, minimizing transplant shock.
If transplanting during the growing season, do so on an overcast day to reduce stress on the plant. Water the plant well in advance and again after transplanting.
Ideally, prepare the new bed the autumn prior to planting. This allows the soil to settle and improves drainage and nutrition. However, you can transplant whenever suckers become available.
Selecting a Site for Your Raspberry Bushes
When choosing where to put your new raspberry bushes opt for a spot that receives full sun (at least 6 hours per day). Raspberries tolerate partial shade but produce the most fruit with ample sunlight.
The soil should be loamy, nutrient-rich, and well-draining. Standing water leads to root rot. Incorporate 2-3 inches of compost before planting to enrich the soil.
Allow 5-6 feet between plants so air can circulate freely. Good airflow reduces pests and disease.
How to Transplant Raspberry Suckers
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Prepare the planting holes. Dig holes 12-18 inches wide and 6-8 inches deep. Space holes 4-6 feet apart. Add compost to the bottom of each.
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Sever suckers from the parent plant. Use a shovel to dig 6-12 inches away from the sucker, cutting its connecting root. Keep surrounding soil intact.
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Transplant suckers promptly. Place each sucker in a prepped hole with the crown just below soil level. Spread roots horizontally.
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Backfill and firm the soil. Fill holes with the excavated soil, gently firming around roots. Leave no air pockets.
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Cut canes down to 6-12 inches. Prune canes above a bud to encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged wood.
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Water thoroughly. Give transplants a heavy watering. Continue regular watering while plants establish roots.
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Mulch well. Apply 2-4 inches of shredded bark, leaves, hay or other organic matter. Replenish mulch annually.
Caring for Transplanted Raspberry Bushes
Raspberries require minimal care when sited appropriately and mulched well. Follow these tips for healthy, productive bushes:
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Water 1-2 inches per week until established, then let soil dry between waterings.
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Fertilize in early spring with balanced organic fertilizer or compost.
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Prune out dead, damaged or diseased canes ASAP to prevent spread.
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Remove spent floricanes after fruiting to encourage new growth.
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Train primocanes to trellises or wires for support and airflow.
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Weed regularly to prevent competition for nutrients and water.
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Enjoy harvests for 10-15 years before replanting rejuvenated rootstock.
Troubleshooting Common Raspberry Problems
Here are some common raspberry problems and how to remedy them:
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Poor growth/yield: Insufficient sun, overcrowding, poor nutrition, or incorrect pruning. Improve conditions.
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Wilting: Under or overwatering. Check soil moisture and water appropriately.
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Spindly canes: Inadequate sunlight. Relocate or prune adjacent plants to increase sunlight.
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Holes in leaves: Raspberry cane borer. Prune below affected area. Remove nearby wild brambles.
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Rotting canes: Phytophthora root rot. Improve drainage. Remove and destroy affected plants.
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White powdery spots: Powdery mildew. Improve air circulation. Remove affected leaves/canes. Apply neem oil.
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Distorted canes: Raspberry crown borer. Cut off damaged canes at base. Use pheromone traps to monitor pest.
Enjoying the Fruits of Your Labor
Caring for your transplanted raspberry suckers properly will yield big, beautiful berries for years to come. Raspberry season lasts from early to mid summer, with everbearing varieties producing a late summer/fall crop too.
Pick raspberries when plump and easily released from the receptacle. Store promptly in the refrigerator, enjoying fresh for 5-7 days. Freeze extras to enjoy all year long in smoothies, baked goods, jams and more!
With this handy guide, you’ll be ready to try transplanting raspberry suckers yourself. In no time, you’ll be plucking ruby red, sun-ripened raspberries straight from your backyard.
Plant in the early evening.
When you plant right after the hottest part of the day, the plants get as many cool hours as possible to start getting better. Hot sun is tough on a new transplant. Even three days after transplanting, I could still tell the difference between plants that were moved in the morning and those that were moved in the afternoon. early evening. Go with early evening if you can.
When you plant in the evening, the first watering will go further and the soil around the roots will stay moist during this important time because the hot sun won’t be drying it out.
How to transplant raspberries in summer (if you must)
If youre stuck planting cane fruit in summer, you may not have much choice of schedule. Putting plants in the ground at the start of a cooler stretch of days will make things easier on them. It will be even better if it rains, because the plants will not only need less water, but the gray skies will be easier on them as they recover than full sun.
HOW TO TRANSPLANT RASPBERRIES.
FAQ
When can I transplant raspberry bushes?
How do you divide and transplant raspberries?
Where is the best place to transplant raspberries?
Can you grow a raspberry bush from a cutting?
How do I transplant raspberry bushes?
Here is a step-by-step guide to transplanting raspberry bushes: Choose a new location: Select a site with well-drained soil, full sun, and good air circulation. Raspberry bushes thrive in fertile soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Prepare the new site: Clear the area of any existing vegetation, weeds, or rocks.
Can You transplant raspberries from plants?
Transplanting raspberries from plants or suckers is the perfect way to expand your raspberry patch to grow more fruit, share with a friend, or bring your raspberries with you when you move. With a few simple tips, you can learn how to transplant raspberries easily. Raspberries are a great soft fruit bush to add to your backyard garden.
When to transplant raspberry bushes?
Raspberry bushes are usually transplanted in the early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant. This is because the plants are better able to tolerate the stress of transplanting when they are not actively growing and producing fruit.
How do you care for raspberry bushes after transplanting?
Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the plant. Water the transplanted bush thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Watering and mulching: After transplanting, it is important to keep the raspberry bushes well-watered. They require about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering.