red raspberry

Red raspberry plants (Rubus idaeus 'Heritage') prefer a consistently moist soil, but not saturated. As a general guide, water 1-2 inches per week, and check the soil around the roots of the plants regularly. During the warmer months, red raspberry plants may need additional water due to evaporation from the sun and wind. To optimize growth, blooms and yield, keep the soil moist but not soggy. This can be done by applying water to the root zone slowly and deeply, 1-2 times per week, either by hand (such as with a watering can or a garden hose) or with an irrigation system.

Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus 'Heritage') requires full to partial sunlight, with at least 4 to 5 hours per day during growing season. In general, the more sunlight a red raspberry plant receives, the better it will perform, although it should be protected from the hot afternoon sun during the hottest summer days. If planted in a location that gets partial shade, red raspberries will benefit from having a tall structure, such as a trellis, to help the plants receive more sunlight and air circulation.

Red raspberries, or Rubus idaeus 'Heritage', are best pruned in late winter or early spring, just before the initial flush of new leaves and stems. Prune any weak, diseased, or dead canes at soil level. Cut off any remaining canes that are more than 2 years old and/or any thin, unbranched canes. This will help encourage strong, healthy canes for the upcoming growing season. After the initial pruning is complete, thin out the remaining canes to create a consistent, vase-like shape. For the following years, thin out any canes that exceed the desired shape and size, removing the oldest canes first. For each remaining year, perform general maintenance pruning by removing any dead, weak, or diseased canes.