By Cindy King, CPH, The Mill
Here a lists of tasks by month for floricane (summer-bearing) and primocane (fall-bearing) raspberries and which category the varieties fall under.
Follow this list for Floricane (summer-bearing) red, yellow, black and purple raspberries:
|
Things to do |
When to do them |
|
For red and yellow raspberries, cut canes back to 4-5 feet tall before growth begins. Fertilize. |
March |
|
For black and purple raspberries, cut side branches back to 12-18 inches; prune all but 4 to 5 canes per hill to the ground. |
March |
|
Plant bare-root transplants as soon as the soil can be worked |
April, May |
|
Plant potted transplants after threat of frost has passed. Fertilize. |
May, June |
|
Keep an eye out for spider mites and Japanese beetles |
June through August |
|
Pinch black and purple raspberry cane tips |
July, August |
|
Harvest |
July, August |
|
Cut fruit-producing canes to the ground after harvest |
August |
|
Apply mulch for winter protection |
November |
|
Set up fence around plants if rabbit damage is expected during winter |
November |
Follow this list for Primocane (fall-bearing) red and yellow raspberries:
|
Things to do |
When to do them |
|
For fall-only primocane raspberries, cut all canes to the ground before growth begins. Fertilize. |
March |
|
Plant bare-root transplants as soon as the soil can be worked |
April, May |
|
Plant potted transplants after threat of frost has passed. Fertilize. |
May, June |
|
Keep an eye out for spider mites and Japanese beetles |
June through August |
|
Harvest |
August, September |
Varieties
Red Berries Yellow Berries
Autumn Britten – Primocane Anne - Primocane
Boyne – Floricane Fallgold - Primocane
Caroline – Primocane Purple Berries
Heritage – Primocane Royalty - Floricane
Prelude – Floricane Black
Latham – Floricane Bristol - Floricane
Polana – Primocane
Raspberries like full sun and loamy organic soils. Water from base never get the leaves wet with irrigation. Require good air circulation. Most raspberries do best if trellised and harvesting is easier if they are maintained this way. Fertilize by side dressing in March and May with 10/10/10.
