Raspberry Bed

TheFife 7/20/2015, 10:26 am

I'm planning to build a raised bed for raspberries. I will be using Mel's Mix. I want the bed to be 4' x 8' because that is what I have room for, and that fits the layout pattern in my garden. My question is how to space the raspberry bushes. I was thinking of dividing the bed length wise to create 3 sections, each 2' 8" x 4'. Then I could plant 1 plant (different variety in each section) in the center of each section. Does this seem like it is appropriate spacing, or would you plant it differently?

**camprn** 7/21/2015, 9:27 am

TheFife wrote:I'm planning to build a raised bed for raspberries. I will be using Mel's Mix. I want the bed to be 4' x 8' because that is what I have room for, and that fits the layout pattern in my garden. My question is how to space the raspberry bushes. I was thinking of dividing the bed length wise to create 3 sections, each 2' 8" x 4'. Then I could plant 1 plant (different variety in each section) in the center of each section. Does this seem like it is appropriate spacing, or would you plant it differently?

you should research the varieties you are planting and follow those planting recommendations, for the most part. Be aware the roots will travel underground and out of the box.

**donnainzone5** 7/21/2015, 12:47 pm

I hit upon an idea that, so far, is working. I constructed a bed atop a base of concrete pavers. The narrow spaces between the pavers allow for drainage, and the blackberry plants have yet to escape their bed.

CapeCoddess 7/21/2015, 1:03 pm

My bed is 2 x 7, planted in 2 rows of 7 staggered plants, and placed so I can mow down any escapees. Not sure how it will work out since this is year one.

CC

Eleanor Allison 3/20/2016, 7:16 pm

donnainzone5 wrote:I hit upon an idea that, so far, is working. I constructed a bed atop a base of concrete pavers. The narrow spaces between the pavers allow for drainage, and the blackberry plants have yet to escape their bed.

I just bought some raspberry canes and I am wondering how this is working? I would like to put mine in a square box as well.

**sanderson** 3/21/2016, 3:22 am

Hi Eleanor, Welcome to the Forum from California! $glad you\'re here$ When you have a moment, hop on over to "Introduce Yourself" and, well, introduce yourself. Very Happy

**AtlantaMarie** 3/21/2016, 8:37 am

Hi Eleanor! Welcome from Atlanta, GA. Yes, please do. We like to know our neighbors.

And, Donna, yes, please update us! How deep is the bed, how is it faring, etc.?

**donnainzone5** 3/21/2016, 1:08 pm

The blackberry bed is doing pretty well, I think.

Last year, there was one errant sprout; so far this spring, I've seen two more. I'll either cut them off or dig them out. Overall, this method seems to be working pretty well. So far.

I had a raspberry plant in a plastic pot last spring and was too lazy to transplant it. Well, it decided to reproduce, through the drainage holes, I think, with a vengeance! I ended up with new canes IN the pot, plus around 30 OUTSIDE (and surrounding) the pot. Now, I'm wondering exactly how to corral this mess, which is happily growing in unamended existing soil that seems to be loaded with peat moss. Formerly, that area was covered by a storage shed.

Mikesgardn 3/21/2016, 6:04 pm

I have a 2'x16' raspberry bed that I planted in 2013. I planted "Heritage" raspberries, about 18" apart. They prefer to be planted in a row as a hedge. They will also need support to keep the canes from falling. They are fairly easy to grow, and birds and squirrels seem to leave them alone. Here is a picture of my hedge in the background.
Raspberry Bed 2015-010

**sanderson** 3/21/2016, 6:12 pm

Eleanor, I just noticed you are in British Columbia. Kelejan, Regional Host, would love to have you join the Canadian threads. The current one is "CANADIAN REGION: What are you doing in March 2016?"

**Scorpio Rising** 3/21/2016, 10:49 pm

Mikesgardn wrote:I have a 2'x16' raspberry bed that I planted in 2013. I planted "Heritage" raspberries, about 18" apart. They prefer to be planted in a row as a hedge. They will also need support to keep the canes from falling. They are fairly easy to grow, and birds and squirrels seem to leave them alone. Here is a picture of my hedge in the background.

That is beautiful! Whole thing, Mike!

Eleanor Allison 3/22/2016, 12:34 am

sanderson wrote:Eleanor, I just noticed you are in British Columbia. Kelejan, Regional Host, would love to have you join the Canadian threads. The current one is "CANADIAN REGION: What are you doing in March 2016?"

I am in British Columbia. I live on Vancouver Island (gods country). I am planning my summer and looking at getting my garden going.

**AtlantaMarie** 3/22/2016, 6:53 pm

donnainzone5 wrote:The blackberry bed is doing pretty well, I think.

Last year, there was one errant sprout; so far this spring, I've seen two more. I'll either cut them off or dig them out. Overall, this method seems to be working pretty well. So far.

I had a raspberry plant in a plastic pot last spring and was too lazy to transplant it. Well, it decided to reproduce, through the drainage holes, I think, with a vengeance! I ended up with new canes IN the pot, plus around 30 OUTSIDE (and surrounding) the pot. Now, I'm wondering exactly how to corral this mess, which is happily growing in unamended existing soil that seems to be loaded with peat moss. Formerly, that area was covered by a storage shed.

Oops! Oh, dear... That's gonna be tricky getting them out of that pot...

How deep are your beds for this?

Mike, I like your set-up! I'm guessing you dug down a bit for the canes... How far down did you go?

And has anyone heard from Gwennifer? Doesn't she have something like 200 raspberry plants...? Eleanor, you might check the archives under "raspberry" & see if you can find some of her postings as well... I think she's in the PacNW.

Mikesgardn 3/22/2016, 8:41 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:

Mike, I like your set-up! I'm guessing you dug down a bit for the canes... How far down did you go?

Dug down? I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to the raspberry canes? I planted them in a raised bed.

**Scorpio Rising** 3/22/2016, 9:03 pm

donnainzone5 wrote:The blackberry bed is doing pretty well, I think.

Last year, there was one errant sprout; so far this spring, I've seen two more. I'll either cut them off or dig them out. Overall, this method seems to be working pretty well. So far.

I had a raspberry plant in a plastic pot last spring and was too lazy to transplant it. Well, it decided to reproduce, through the drainage holes, I think, with a vengeance! I ended up with new canes IN the pot, plus around 30 OUTSIDE (and surrounding) the pot. Now, I'm wondering exactly how to corral this mess, which is happily growing in unamended existing soil that seems to be loaded with peat moss. Formerly, that area was covered by a storage shed.

Frankenberry! Raspberry Bed 931411784

Eleanor Allison 3/23/2016, 12:31 am

AtlantaMarie wrote:
donnainzone5 wrote:The blackberry bed is doing pretty well, I think.

Last year, there was one errant sprout; so far this spring, I've seen two more. I'll either cut them off or dig them out. Overall, this method seems to be working pretty well. So far.

I had a raspberry plant in a plastic pot last spring and was too lazy to transplant it. Well, it decided to reproduce, through the drainage holes, I think, with a vengeance! I ended up with new canes IN the pot, plus around 30 OUTSIDE (and surrounding) the pot. Now, I'm wondering exactly how to corral this mess, which is happily growing in unamended existing soil that seems to be loaded with peat moss. Formerly, that area was covered by a storage shed.

Oops! Oh, dear... That's gonna be tricky getting them out of that pot...

How deep are your beds for this?

Mike, I like your set-up! I'm guessing you dug down a bit for the canes... How far down did you go?

And has anyone heard from Gwennifer? Doesn't she have something like 200 raspberry plants...? Eleanor, you might check the archives under "raspberry" & see if you can find some of her postings as well... I think she's in the PacNW.

I really like Mikes Idea and will probably copy it if he does not mind. I have a place in mind.

**AtlantaMarie** 3/23/2016, 7:33 am

Mikesgardn wrote:
AtlantaMarie wrote:

Mike, I like your set-up! I'm guessing you dug down a bit for the canes... How far down did you go?

Dug down? I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to the raspberry canes? I planted them in a raised bed.

I see that. I guess what I'm asking is: Is that only 6" of MM that you're growing them in or did you dig down in the soil like the old SFG method?

Mikesgardn 3/23/2016, 8:46 am

AtlantaMarie wrote:
Mikesgardn wrote:
AtlantaMarie wrote:

Mike, I like your set-up! I'm guessing you dug down a bit for the canes... How far down did you go?

Dug down? I'm not sure what you mean. Are you referring to the raspberry canes? I planted them in a raised bed.

I see that. I guess what I'm asking is: Is that only 6" of MM that you're growing them in or did you dig down in the soil like the old SFG method?

I used about 8" of mel's mix.

CapeCoddess 3/23/2016, 10:50 am

Mine are growing in 6" of MM in a raised bed....or maybe it's 5" by now. (Reminder to self: Gotta add some compost this weekend.) It's 7' x 2' with one plant per sq ft. Once the 4 layers of cardboard underneath disintegrate, the bed is positioned so that I can mow down any escapees. I just hope they don't jump ship the way the strawberries do.
Rolling Eyes

CC

**donnainzone5** 3/23/2016, 12:10 pm

They certainly will jump ship!

I have a seedless boysenberry plant on order and will expand the blackberry bed to accommodate it. With a concrete paver floor, of course! This time, though, I may underlay it with either cardboard or river rock (or both).

**AtlantaMarie** 3/23/2016, 5:09 pm

Interesting... I've been told several times that raspberries, etc. need "at least" 18 inches below them... Wrong again, I guess!

Donna, I LOVE boysenberries! (Or, at least syrup, lol!) Lucky you...!

CapeCoddess 3/23/2016, 5:15 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:Interesting... I've been told several times that raspberries, etc. need "at least" 18 inches below them... Wrong again, I guess!

Maybe not. I only planted them last year and had a great crop. Maybe they won't come back this year. We'll have to wait and see.

Mikesgardn 3/23/2016, 8:47 pm

AtlantaMarie wrote:Interesting... I've been told several times that raspberries, etc. need "at least" 18 inches below them... Wrong again, I guess!

Now I know what you were asking me. I used about 8" of mels mix in a raised bed, and I did not use weed cloth below. So the roots are free to extend below.

Mike

**AtlantaMarie** 3/24/2016, 8:23 am

AH! Okay... Thanks to you both, CC & Mike!

I've got this great place for raspberries or blackberries... It's just waiting for me to get the area ready... DH is aware of my plans, but that also means extending our blueberry patch and a few other changes. HOPEFULLY next year! After some of the other projects are finished.... :-)

**donnainzone5** 3/24/2016, 11:28 am

Marie,

I saw some boysenberries--the last of the season--last year at a produce stand.

Not having tasted these treats since I was a teenager, I brought some home. That was the beginning of a quest to find a thornless variety that's hardy to Zone 5.

Week's Berry Farm in Salem is one of my go-to's for berry and asparagus plants, and they had this item in stock. They even call me periodically to see when I want them to ship my order. (They apparently understand the vagaries of Central Oregon weather.)

When I extend the bed, perhaps I'll dig down a bit before I add my Mel's Mix plus extra peat moss. And then again, perhaps I won't. I don't think my small side yard could tolerate a forest of berry vines, especially since I also grow dwarf fruit trees, blueberries, and potatoes there. Thoughts?

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