Transplanting raspberries in Summer is never ideal, but if you must transplant bramble bushes in hot weather, these tips can help give you the best possible success.
“Is there ever a right wrong way to do things?” Shovel in hand, thats what I asked myself as I dug a hole in the sod of our old front sheep pasture. At least this was a bit gentler than the first question that had resounded through my head, “What kind of crazy woman transplants raspberries in the middle of summer?”
Because thats what I was doing. And yes – August really is a terrible time to transplant just about anything.
Honestly, is there ANY month worse than August for transplanting raspberries? The right answer might be “Nope”, but I suggest that the real answer might be this: “Yes. Its the month that never comes.”
I had well over 100 young Taylor raspberry plants that had sprung up from around the roots of the original ten Id planted when we first moved in. Theyre in an area thats really too shady, so none of them were all that happy. In spite of their less than optimal digs, they do still manage to produce some heavenly raspberries every year. In a better location, they would absolutely shine.
Early this summer, I had a vision to fill the area the used to be our front sheep pasture with rows of berry bushes, and have been aching to transplant these young canes into their new homes. Id been waiting for fall, but Im learning to be more realistic about time.
Spring and Fall are mightily busy seasons for me here on the homestead. My husbands hours and long commute make it so that Im the one doing the day-to-day homesteading – the planting, animal husbandry, pruning, and just all of the daily things that pop up when you choose this lifestyle.
I know that with the coming fall and cooler weather (a time thats far more suited to transplanting things here in Zone 4b) Im going to have my hands full. Ill be stacking 5 cords of firewood for the coming winter. Ill be harvesting, and tending the fall gardens. There will be afternoons of butchering work, putting extra young cockerels in the freezer. And (the part Im most excited about!) – the kids and I will be finding our groove with our first “real” year of homeschooling.
Its going to be a busy season. Knowing how things go, Id put down money that if I waited until fall for this project, it would end up on the chopping block, in favor of more necessary tasks. So I decided to go ahead and transplant them now, in the lull of summer when I have time. Id do my best by them, and if even just half made it and thrived, it would be an excellent start on our permanent raspberry bed.
In the end, I transplanted well over 100 young raspberry bushes. I tried several different methods, at all times of day, and you know me – I took notes about it all. On the whole, theyre doing surprisingly well. But the ones that have truly thrived, hardly looking like theyve been moved at all, have several factors in common.
At least when it comes to planting raspberries in summer, there does appear to be a “right” wrong way to do things. Based on my observations, these tips below are what I strongly recommend, if you ever find yourself needing to transplant cane fruit in hot weather.
Transplanting raspberry bushes is a great way to expand your raspberry patch or give your plants the best growing conditions. With some planning and care, transplanting raspberries can be an easy and successful endeavor In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk through when and how to transplant raspberry bushes for optimal fruit production
When is the Best Time to Transplant Raspberry Bushes?
Timing is critical when it comes to transplanting raspberries. To reduce transplant shock and stress on the plants, it’s best to transplant raspberries when they are dormant. The ideal transplanting window is late fall after leaf drop or early spring before new growth emerges. I prefer transplanting in early spring, as the soil is workable but the plants are still dormant.
Avoid transplanting raspberries in the heat of summer. The stress of transplanting combined with hot, dry weather can severely damage or kill raspberry bushes. If you must transplant in summer, be sure to keep plants well watered.
Selecting a Transplant Site
Choosing the right transplant location is key to the success and productivity of your raspberry bushes Here are a few factors to consider when selecting a site
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Full sun: Raspberries need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Insufficient light will reduce fruit production.
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Well-drained soil: Excellent drainage is crucial. Raspberries will suffer if planted in low, wet areas. Ideally the soil should be loamy or sandy.
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Air circulation: Good airflow will help prevent fungal diseases. Avoid planting raspberries in crowded or enclosed areas.
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Avoid previous raspberry sites: To prevent disease transmission, don’t replant raspberries where they have grown in the last 5 years.
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Space for growth: Allow 2-3 feet between plants and 8-10 feet between rows. Raspberries need room to spread.
Once you’ve identified the ideal site, remove any weeds, debris, or unhealthy plants. Dig in aged compost to improve soil nutrition and drainage.
How to Transplant Raspberry Bushes
Follow these steps for successful raspberry bush transplantation:
1. Prepare for Transplanting
Water raspberry plants well 1-2 days before transplanting. This will keep roots hydrated. Carefully dig around the plants in a circle 1 foot out from the crown. Slowly lift the bushes using a shovel, keeping the root ball intact.
2. Dig Holes in Transplant Site
At the new site, dig holes about 6 inches deeper and wider than the root balls of your raspberry plants. Space holes 2-3 feet apart. Mix compost into the soil you removed from the holes.
3. Transplant the Raspberry Bushes
Gently place each raspberry bush in a hole. The crown should sit just below the soil surface. Spread roots evenly and fill holes with the compost/soil blend. Tamp down gently but firmly.
4. Prune Transplanted Canes
Prune canes down to 6 inches after transplanting. This encourages the plants to focus energy on root regeneration rather than fruit production. Make cuts just above outward facing buds.
5. Water Transplants Thoroughly
Water deeply right after planting and regularly thereafter. Aim for 1-2 inches of water per week until plants are established. Avoid wetting foliage to discourage disease.
6. Add Mulch
Apply 2-4 inches of mulch around transplants. Organic mulches like bark chips help retain soil moisture and prevent weeds. Replenish mulch annually.
Caring for Transplanted Raspberry Bushes
Proper care after transplanting is vital to get your raspberry bushes off to a strong start:
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Water 1-2 times per week during the first year, aiming to moisten soil 8-10 inches deep. Raspberry roots grow deep and need consistent moisture while establishing.
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Fertilize transplants with a balanced organic fertilizer or compost tea a few weeks after planting. This provides a nutrient boost.
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Install trellises or other supports if needed. Floricane varieties produce fruit on 2nd year canes and benefit from trellising.
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Weed regularly to eliminate competition, especially in the first season. Weeds rob transplants of water and nutrients.
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Monitor for signs of disease or pest damage. Treat any issues promptly to keep plants healthy.
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Avoid overpicking berries the first year. Limit harvests so plants can focus on root growth.
How to transplant raspberries in summer (if you must)
If youre stuck planting cane fruit in summer, you may not have much choice of schedule. But if you can, planting at the beginning of a cooler stretch of days will make things easier on the plants – so much the better, if theres rain in the forecast! Not only will rain alleviate some of your watering efforts, the grey skies will be easier on the plants as they recover, than full beating sun.
Plant in the early evening.
Planting just after the hottest part of the day makes it so that the plants get as many cool hours as possible, to start recovering after their move. Hot sun is tough on a new transplant. Even 3 days after transplanting, I could see lingering differences in the vigor of plants that had been moved in the morning, vs. early evening. Go with early evening if you can.
Planting in the evening also makes your initial watering go as far as possible, and helps the soil around those roots stay damp during this critical time, since the hot sun wont be drying out the ground.
How to RELOCATE raspberry plants – Transplant Tips
FAQ
Can you dig up and replant raspberry bushes?
You just dig them up with enough roots attached then transplant to the same depth you dug them out at. They are fairly resilient plants so they’ll likely make it.
When’s the best time to move raspberries?
‘When transplanting raspberries, it is best to move them before or after fruiting so as not to stress the plant,’ suggests Rachel Crow, garden editor for …Sep 21, 2022
How do you get raspberry bushes to spread?
There are generally two different methods that people use to propagate raspberries, either by splitting the plant or digging out suckers from an existing plant. Raspberries spread easily and you could simply dig out a plant a short distance from the mother plant.
Can you split a raspberry bush?
It’s easy to make new plants from existing raspberries, to extend your row or start new ones. Simply dig up any healthy suckers that appear outside the row and replant in the new location. You can also divide large clumps.
How do you transplant raspberries?
Fill in any gaps with native soil and mulch with straw or wood chips. Transplanting raspberries is simple, and with a bit of support at the start, your raspberry bushes will be propagating in no time. Generally speaking, the best time to transplant raspberries that are just starting as new plants is in the early spring.
When to transplant raspberry bushes?
Raspberry bushes are usually transplanted in the early spring or late fall when the plants are dormant. This is because the plants are better able to tolerate the stress of transplanting when they are not actively growing and producing fruit.
How do you care for raspberry bushes after transplanting?
Backfill the hole with soil, gently firming it around the plant. Water the transplanted bush thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate any air pockets. Watering and mulching: After transplanting, it is important to keep the raspberry bushes well-watered. They require about an inch of water per week, either from rainfall or manual watering.
How do you plant a raspberry bush?
Plant the raspberry bush: Place the trimmed raspberry bush in the planting hole, making sure that the base of the plant is at ground level. Backfill the hole with soil, firming it gently around the roots. Water the newly transplanted raspberry bush thoroughly to settle the soil and remove any air pockets.
Can raspberries be transplanted later in the year?
Raspberries can be transplanted later in the year, but special care will need to be taken if you transplant in the heat of summer. Making sure your young canes have adequate soil moisture to establish roots is of primary concern. Raspberries grow best in well-drained soil in the full sun.
How do you replant raspberry bushes?
Timing is key to ensure your bushes thrive and produce more fruit. Choosing the right spot with plenty of sunlight and well-drained soil also plays a crucial role. From personal experience, digging up raspberry suckers and replanting them can be quite satisfying. It’s like giving your garden a fresh start.