Obtain new plants only from a reliable nursery, and request only certified virus-free stock. Raspberry plants should never be transplanted from an old patch since these plants are often virus-infected or have other disease problems. Site Air and soil drainage are important considerations in locating a raspberry planting. Frosts, which may occur before, during, or after bloom, often cause fruit losses. Locate plantings in an area with adequate air drainage so that cold air can move away from the area.
Soil drainage is important although raspberries require a good moisture supply.
Soils from sandy loams to loamy clays are satisfactory with both heavy clays and light sandy soils being undesirable. Heavy clay soils usually are poorly-drained, and sandy soils are usually droughty. Poor soil drainage often results in winter injury to plants. A good supply of organic matter in the topsoil and a deep, well-drained subsoil are both highly desirable. Raspberries should not be grown in an area in which tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, peppers or other crops susceptible to verticillium wilt have been grown in the past 3-4 years.