I recently moved to a property with a ton of wild raspberry plants, and I want to take good care of them, but I'm a bit lost. I'm in Wisconsin (zone 4), and today is June 17th. The plants already have flowers, so I'm curious about how to manage them. I have a few specific questions:
1. I'd like to move the raspberries into one big bed because they're scattered everywhere. I've tried moving them, but they seem to die overnight. I keep finding conflicting advice online about the best time to dig them up. Some say in the fall after the leaves fall off, others suggest during late winter. I worry about moving them in harsh winter conditions, so when can I safely transplant them without losing them all?
2. What about pruning? When a new shoot (primocane) appears, should I leave it alone until next year, or can I trim the tops to encourage more bushy growth?
3. For older canes (floricanes), when's the right time to prune — fall, winter, or just before spring? Should I only cut back the fruiting laterals or the whole cane? And do I trim the tops as we approach spring?
4. Should I prune the plants before or after moving them?
5. How can I identify which suckers aren't going to produce fruit?
6. If the leaves are super dense and blocking sunlight, is it okay to remove some leaves, or will that harm the plant?
7. Lastly, do the same care rules for raspberries apply to black raspberries and blackberries, or do they need different treatment? Can I plant all three types together, or do they prefer to stay separate? I tend to need detailed instructions, so I appreciate any help!
5 Answers
Focus on the roots when moving your plants. Keep them well-hydrated and avoid shocking them with too much sun right after the move. Raspberry plants tend to thrive even after rough handling, but it’s all about how you manage their transition!
When you transplant raspberries, give them some time to adjust. They might look dead initially, especially after being moved, but if you keep them watered, they may come back stronger! I had some floppy ones that amazed me by springing back to life.
In general, it's best to transplant when the plants are dormant, ideally in early spring or late fall. As for pruning, I like to cut canes back in fall for better growth the next season, and always keep the soil covered around the plants to prevent stress. You’ve got this!
It's a lot to handle, but you’re on the right track! For moving, try and do it in early spring when it's not too hot, or wait until fall when they’re dormant. Also, don’t worry if some dies; just transplant in smaller batches to see what works best.
Can you use moss as mulch? I have plenty of it around, but I wasn't sure if it would be too wet!
I’ve had success even with rough transplanting, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Just make sure to dunk the roots in water before moving them. They might look like they’re dying, but with some care, they usually recover well.
That's great advice! My new transplants looked dead too, but they eventually perked up. Just keep them moist after moving!