Monthly Task list for Varieties of Raspberries

By Cindy King, CPH, The Mill

Here a lists of tasks by month for floricane (summer-bearing) and primocane (fall-bearing) raspberries and which category the varieties fall under.

Follow this list for Floricane (summer-bearing) red, yellow, black and purple raspberries:

Things to do	When to do them

For red and yellow raspberries, cut canes back to 4-5 feet tall before growth begins. Fertilize.	March
For black and purple raspberries, cut side branches back to 12-18 inches; prune all but 4 to 5 canes per hill to the ground.	March
Plant bare-root transplants as soon as the soil can be worked	April, May
Plant potted transplants after threat of frost has passed. Fertilize.	May, June
Keep an eye out for spider mites and Japanese beetles	June through August
Pinch black and purple raspberry cane tips	July, August
Harvest	July, August
Cut fruit-producing canes to the ground after harvest	August
Apply mulch for winter protection	November
Set up fence around plants if rabbit damage is expected during winter	November

Follow this list for Primocane (fall-bearing) red and yellow raspberries:

Things to do	When to do them
For fall-only primocane raspberries, cut all canes to the ground before growth begins. Fertilize.	March
Plant bare-root transplants as soon as the soil can be worked	April, May
Plant potted transplants after threat of frost has passed. Fertilize.	May, June
Keep an eye out for spider mites and Japanese beetles	June through August
Harvest	August, September

Varieties

Red Berries Yellow Berries

Autumn Britten – Primocane Anne - Primocane

Boyne – Floricane Fallgold - Primocane

Caroline – Primocane Purple Berries

Heritage – Primocane Royalty - Floricane

Prelude – Floricane Black

Latham – Floricane Bristol - Floricane

Polana – Primocane

Raspberries like full sun and loamy organic soils. Water from base never get the leaves wet with irrigation. Require good air circulation. Most raspberries do best if trellised and harvesting is easier if they are maintained this way. Fertilize by side dressing in March and May with 10/10/10.

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