Caring for raspberries in August: Expect a bumper crop next year

Picking a sweet raspberry straight from the bush in your garden is definitely worth it. It tastes superb and is in a completely different league to shop-bought ones. What’s more, if you get a bumper crop of raspberries, you’ll have nothing to worry about. Raspberries are among the crops that aren’t particularly demanding in terms of care, yet it’s still worth carrying out a few tasks. In the following paragraphs, we’ll take a much closer look at the care raspberries require in August. We’ll also look at other tasks involved in looking after raspberry bushes.

Planting raspberries in a nutshell

It’s best to wait a little longer before planting raspberries. If they aren’t planted in spring, then they should be planted in autumn, but only towards the end of the season. The soil is well prepared at this time of year and the raspberries will thrive. Raspberry bushes can develop a very strong root system. Particular attention should be paid to the planting depth, which should not exceed 15 cm. The spacing between bushes should be around 1.5 metres. The bushes can spread out considerably and should not shade one another.

Regular watering is essential

Raspberries need sufficient moisture during the fruiting period. Definitely do not skimp on water, even now when the raspberries are still bearing fruit or have already stopped fruiting. It is a good idea to have a layer of mulch around the raspberries, as this helps retain more moisture.

Tip: How to get a huge harvest of raspberry. Rice is needed.

Pruning raspberry bushes has its own rules

Pruning is perhaps the most important aspect of raspberry care. The method depends on the specific variety. Summer-bearing varieties are pruned in spring and autumn. Autumn-bearing varieties require pruning in autumn, once the raspberries have finished fruiting and the leaves have fallen. The canes should be cut right back to ground level. If you do this, you’ll most likely be rewarded with an abundance of fruit next autumn.

Raspberry cut: Photo Radek Stepan

Fertilising raspberries? It’s not essential

That’s about right; before planting, it’s a good idea to use organic fertiliser in the form of compost. It will help the raspberries to grow. Nitrogen-based fertilisers are used before fruiting. We don’t fertilise our raspberries at all. We have plenty of fruit. Regular watering of the raspberries and the pruning mentioned above are more than enough.

Sources: Author, Meta

Preview photo and photogallery: Pixabay