Raspberry plants are relatively easy to grow and are hardy in most areas of Iowa. They are also very productive. If given proper care, a 100-foot row of red raspberries can produce 100 to 150 pints of fruit. Raspberries are adaptable to a wide range of soil types. They grow best in well-drained, fertile soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.8.
Raspberries grow poorly in heavy clay or poorly drained soils.
Poor soils can often be improved by incorporating well-rotted barnyard manure or compost. When selecting a planting site, choose an area that receives full sun. Avoid shady areas near large trees and shrubs. Also, avoid areas that are heavily infested with perennial weeds. Perennial weeds such as quackgrass are extremely difficult to control in a raspberry planting.