Raspberries

12 years ago

So, I've been reading Mel's book lately. I'd like to grow raspberries using some of the techniques in Mel's book.

I don't want to grow them in with lots of other things since raspberries can be so invasive. I want to make a 2 foot wide bed (not sure how long I want to make it) and line the bottom of my box with weed block. All this will do 2 things for me. First, I have very heavy clay soil. Using the raised beds will get the plants up out of this clay and get them draining better.

Next, it should keep them from getting out into the yard. I want to do this not only to keep the lawn free of raspberry canes, but also to prevent any problems with my septic system as the only place I have available to plant is right next to the drain field. I'm being very careful with the septic system because I have that heavy, clay soil that I've been talking about. I know that previous owners of this property have had problems with good percolation because the tank shows signs of raised levels at some point in the past. The grey water has also been separated out in the plumbing and goes to it's own place. Probably going to use the grey water to be more useful than just putting it in a hole in the ground sometime.

As far as bed height goes, I'm not sure if I should go with just 6" or if I should go ahead and do 12". I know that raspberries are fairly shallow rooted so I wouldn't think that depth would be a problem. I asked on a different forum and they seemed to think I would need a good 3' of good soil. I'd like to get away with no more than 12" as I would be using the weed block to keep everything in.

Featured Answer

bassmannate
Original Author

12 years ago

Thanks for the responses! I'll certainly go deeper than my projected 6" and probably more than just a wimpy layer of weed block. I would put them elsewhere, but I really don't have any other place on my property that gets this much sun.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

rain1950
12 years ago
If you can do 12" deep; do it! The roots won't go deep enough to become invasive that way. Raspberry roots are strong enough to break thru weed-block so going deeper would avoid that problem.
lolauren
12 years ago
From what I know of raspberries, they can have very invasive root systems (several feet down and over) and are definitely strong enough to break through weed barrier. I agree with the previous thread. I would not put them near my septic. They spread like crazy and septic water would be very tempting to them. I had some raspberries in a pot in early Spring because I didn't have the bed ready yet (they were dug out and gifted by grandma).... They had about 12 inches of root growth in a month. I don't think they are shallow rooted... (blueberries are, though!)

Your clay will definitely present a barrier for their roots, but I'd encourage you to do some more research on this. You might want to find someone in your area with raspberries and ask them how they do in that soil...
Related Professionals
Baltimore Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · La Marque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Saint Louis Park Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Peabody Landscape Contractors · Wilmington Landscape Contractors · Cupertino Landscape Contractors · Fountain Valley Landscape Contractors · Hilton Head Island Landscape Contractors · Sammamish Landscape Contractors · Tacoma Landscape Contractors · Wentzville Landscape Contractors · 07920 Landscape Contractors · Hawaiian Gardens Landscape Contractors · Hueytown Landscape Contractors · Austin Fence Contractors
loisthegardener_nc7b
12 years ago
My brother grows raspberries in a 2 1/2 foot deep raised bed with a thick landscape fabric lining. He's had them for at least 5 years with no escapes. So I would recommend a raised bed higher than you think you would need, just to be safe.
mustard_seeds
12 years ago
my raspberry bed was made using lasagna method 3x6 feet cardboard over the lawn and three plants down the center. They have spread well into the bed over the past few years. I mulch up the edges of the bed in spring and fall and mow the grass up to the edge every week with the regular lawn mowing, so spreading has not been a problem. The mower must shear any new shoots and that seems to keep them at bay.

Yes they love the sun!
bassmannate
Original Author
12 years ago
Alright, I've got an updated plan. At the moment, I'm thinking of getting a BIG rubbermaid tub and drilling some holes in it for drainage. Cover these up with some kind of permeable cover (screen, landscape fabric, etc.) and then bury the whole thing in the ground. Then I'll build a raised bed (1-2' sound good?) on top of this and plant my raspberries in it.

Gives good depth I figure. Any more thoughts?
coconut_head
12 years ago
I'm wondering why you are worried about the spread so much, Assuming you are planting them in your yard, Once you get an established hedge, your lawnmower will take care of them spreading out of control.

I planted 10 plants 2 years ago in a 30 ft row and now have a nice 8x35 hedge of them with about 60 primocanes this year. I just picked a width and then mow over anything outside of my desired hedge.

I don't think they will spread if you are constantly mowing the new growth. I mean they will likley always try to spread but once you mow a cane once or twice with your early spring moving, they should die back down and not get the energy they need to spread further. I would personally just go with a 6 or 12 inch raised bed and no weedblock on the bottom. Just a waste of money IMO.
babdav
11 years ago
i have raspberries in raised beds. I like this for a couple reasons. first they dont spread as much. I actually dont mind them spreading into the lawn as much as i mind them spreading into the vegetable gardens and flower gardens :/

mostly i like the beds because I LOVE the different varieties of raspberries and dont want them to mix. I love knowing the differences in my poka, brittons, carolines, heritage, canby, annes etc. I have noticed that the raised beds are not nearly as effective. They are not as well insulated against heat and cold in summer/ winter. This spring Im going to try to bury some huge black plastic pots that the large trees come in. The roots may run 2 feet down and out the drainage holes but they could never join another pot. I will keep the rims about 2-4" above the ground. I'll drill many very small holes in the middle for better drainage. ..... thoughts?
babdav
10 years ago
follow up. container planting raspberries is working fine. not quite as well as in other garden spots but this could be the hot location of the raised beds. im trying one more box in the eastern corner of my yard this spring. any one else have experience planting raspberries in containers/ raised beds?