General Information

• Scroll down or click on any month for plant care instructions
  • January
  • February
  • March
  • April
  • May
  • June
  • July
  • August
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December

  January 1. Buy Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant. 2. Plant Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for signs of cane borers. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites. 6. Special requirements Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire.

  February 1. Buy Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant. 2. Plant Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for signs of cane borers. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites. 6. Special requirements Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire.

  March 1. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer. 2. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 3. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 4. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check early in the month for signs of cane borers. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil.

  April 1. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer. 2. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 3. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 4. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 7. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  May 1. Fertilize Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer. 2. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 3. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 4. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 5. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 6. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 7. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  June 1. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the planting is flowering and fruiting. 2. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 6. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  July 1. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 2. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 6. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  August 1. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 2. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 6. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  September 1. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 2. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. 6. Harvest Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  October 1. Water Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. 2. Prune For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil.

  November 1. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 2. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for signs of cane borers. 3. Treat for Pest/Disease Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil.

  December 1. Buy Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant. 2. Plant Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high. 3. Mulch Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. 4. Pest/Disease Inspection Check for signs of cane borers. 5. Treat for Pest/Disease Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites. 6. Special requirements Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire.

• Buy When's the best time to buy this plant? When can you buy these from seed (if you can)? When is it usually available? What are things to look for when you're buying it? Or anything other tidbit of information you can share! January Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant. February Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant. December Buy bareroot when available in the nursery or from an online merchant.

  Plant When's a good time to plant this plant or bulb? Any special planting instructions? January Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high. February Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high. December Plant when dormant in a light shade location that is well-draining. Plant in raised beds if the soil is heavy clay. Soil pH should be on the acidic side (6 to 6.5). Avoid planting where you grew tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes or peppers within the last three years, as these plants tend to infect the soil with verticillium wilt. Set plants 2 1/2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 to 10 feet apart. Cut canes back to 4 to 6 inches high.

  Fertilize When should you fertilize this plant? Which kind of fertilizer do you recommend? Should you use different fertilizers at different times of year? March Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer. April Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer. May Feed once with an all-purpose organic 10-10-10 fertilizer.

  Water Is there a time to reduce or increase watering? Any special requirements? Things to avoid during certain times of the year? March Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. April Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. May Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. June Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the planting is flowering and fruiting. July Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. August Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. September Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting. October Keep the soil around plants moist but not soggy. Avoid letting the soil dry out when the plant is flowering and fruiting.

  Prune When's a good time to prune this plant? How about deadheading, pinching back, trimming or any other grooming? Any special requirements? January For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have completely fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. March For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. April For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. May For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. June For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. July For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. August For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. September For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop. October For summer bearing raspberries: After planting, don't prune for the first year. Once they fruit, cut the canes back to the ground. The second year, canes will develop around the crown. Prune out everything but 7 to 10 of the strongest canes and attach them to the trellis. Before new growth appears in spring, cut canes back to 5 feet, which will encourage them to grow laterally. For everbearing raspberries: The first fall, they will produce fruit on the top 1/3 of the plant. After harvest, remove the portion of the plant that produced berries and let the lower part remain to produce the spring crop. In spring, after the canes have fruited, remove them completely. New canes that appear will produce the next crop.

  Mulch Does this plant need to be mulched? Are there specific types of Mulch which are better for this plant? How much? January Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. February Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. March Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. April Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. May Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. June Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. July Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. August Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. September Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. October Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. November Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool. December Maintain a 2- to 3-inch layer of shredded bark in the planting bed, which will keep the soil moist and cool.

  Pest/Disease Inspection What are the common problems this plant will face and when should you look for them to appear? January Check for signs of cane borers. February Check for signs of cane borers. March Check early in the month for signs of cane borers. April Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. May Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. June Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. July Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. August Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. September Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. October Check for spider mites and signs of fungal disease. November Check for signs of cane borers. December Check for signs of cane borers.

  Treat for Pest/Disease How do you treat the common problems for this plant? What products or concoctions or natural means do you use? Any special requirements? January Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites. February Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites. March Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. April Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. May Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. June Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. July Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. August Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. September Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. October Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. November Treat cane borers and spider mites with horticultural oil. December Spray plants when dormant with lime sulfur to prevent fungal disease, as well as control cane borers and spider mites.

  Harvest When's a good time to harvest this plant? What's the best way to harvest? Are there special requirements or features? April Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet. May Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet. June Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet. July Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet. August Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet. September Harvest when the fruit is bright red and sweet.

  Special requirements Any other requirement for this plant? Is there anything that doesn't fit into the other care categories? January Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire. February Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire. December Raspberries do best when trained on a trellis. String heavy wire between posts and train lateral side branches along wire.