Any tip foliage that does not drop off like the lower leaves should be removed by hand or they may become a place for insects and diseases to remain until the next season. This winter pruning keeps the canes low for easy picking the next summer. It takes about three years before raspberry plants reach full-bearing fruit potential. When fruit forms on the stems, the berries take from two to three weeks to ripen. The picking season for red raspberries begins in late June, and usually lasts for four to six weeks.
Raspberries grow best in rich, well-drained soil.
They benefit from supplemental compost and manure. They should not be planted in an area where eggplants, peppers, potatoes tomatoes have been grown within three years. After planting, cut the canes back to 4 inches, leaving the stubs to mark the rows until new sprouts appear. Newly planted summer bearing raspberries should be left alone for the first year to become established, and then cut back to 3-5 canes per plant when the buds begin to show in the following spring. All rights reserved.