Protect plants from strong winds. Raspberry plants are especially susceptible to cane whipping and breakage from the wind. Strong winds blowing across a planting evaporates soil moisture and desiccates young plants. When soils are frozen, plants cannot replenish lost moisture and may be killed. High winds may blow off a snow cover, increasing evaporation.
Wind can also pile snow too deeply on the plants, causing cane breakage from the weight.
Irrigation of the crop will be discussed later in this bulletin, but a source of adequate water for irrigation must be considered in site selection. The site must be near a well or a farm pond to get water to the plants economically. Exposure of the planting, although not critical, should be considered. A southern slope can be used, but the temperature of the plants may be high during the day in the winter. Make new plantings as far away from wild brambles or from older plantings as possible.