Thus, the sooner vegetative growth starts in spring, the sooner flowering will take place. Early vegetative growth can, however, be injured by late spring frosts. Dry weather reduces the incidence of cane and foliar diseases. Hot, dry, windy weather will, however, retard cane growth. The harvest period during fall should be relatively free of rainfall.
Rainy weather increases fungal infection of the berries.
The raspberry site should have good air drainage, preferably on a hillside. This prevents an accumulation of cold air. Sloping sites will also provide good surface water drainage during periods of excessive rainfall. South-facing slopes warm earlier in spring, resulting in earlier cane growth. Raspberries grow best in New Mexico in loam or sandy loam soils with a pH of 6.5-7.5.