Prepare the soil at least one year before planting.
Eliminate all perennial weeds.
Add 10-20 tons of manure per acre.
Do a pre-plant soil test, and add nutrients if needed.
Adjust soil pH to 5.8-6.5.
Apply nitrogen (1.5 ounces/plant) when raspberries are 6 to 8 weeks old. Repeat later after the same period of time. This is done when soil organic matter is low during the first year.
Dip cuttings or seedling roots into Galltrol-A solution when planting in soil that is infested with crown gall-causing organisms.
Spread 4-6 inches of well-rotted saw dust or clean straw as mulch.
Established Plants
Apply 2-4 ounces of ammonium nitrate per original plant every spring or alternatively use equivalent lower rates of 10-10-10 compound fertilizers.
Ensure higher fertilizer rates in sandy soils and with older plants.
In early August, large growers should take samples of newly expanded leaves for analysis of plant nutrients.
Keep the area between rows weed free. This can also be achieved by seeding perennial grass or a mixture of grass and a legume as a cover crop.
When controlling weeds around the plants, do not dig 2-3 inches deep to avoid root injury.
Use trellis support to protect plants from wind injury.
