Latham Raspberry

Planting & Care for Edible Plants – Raspberries

Preparation

• The Latham Raspberry are easy to pick and produce large 1" diameter, firm, and red fruit.
• These are a full flavored variety that's good for fresh eating, canning, freezing, jams, juices and pies.
• This edible plant is self-pollinating, disease resistant, a vigorous grower yet productive.
• Has 4-5' upright canes and fall foliage adds interest in the landscape.
• This fruit ripens mid-July. Hardiness zone 3. 
• Raspberry plants need a pH level between 6.0 and 6.8. Not sure where your soil rates? Contact your local UW extension to get a test done on your soil.
• Raspberry plants should live 8 to 10 years with proper maintenance.
• Suggested number of plants for a family of 5: 20 to 25 plants (4 to 5 plants per person).
• Note: Do not plant Red, Gold or Purple raspberries within 75-100 feet of Black raspberries. Black raspberries may be more susceptible to viral diseases carried by aphids to and from nearby raspberry plants.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root - Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted. 
• Click the link below “Handling & Planting Guideline” to see illustrations on planting bare root raspberries.

Planting Bare Root

• Soak roots in water overnight before planting, if possible
• Plant 2 to 3 feet apart in rows 3 to 5 feet apart in well-tilled weed-free soil.
• Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass.
• The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at our nursery.
• Trim off the broken roots and branches.
• Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until soil settles completely saturating the soil and planting pit.
• Re-adjust plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
• Back-fill the balance of the soil and water well.
• Click the link below “Handling & Planting Guideline” to see illustrations on planting bare root raspberries.

Pruning – After Planting

• After planting, be sure to prune the bare-root canes back to about 2 inches above the ground. Do not skip this step! It is a crucial factor in encouraging the roots to send up new growth during the growing season.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• Once your raspberry plants have put on enough growth (which may not be until after their first year with you), aim to prune in the early spring, just as new growth emerges.
• Prune young canes back until they are around 4 to 5 feet tall. This will discourage overgrowth and shading and will improve fruit production and quality.
• Completely prune back and remove all skinny, dead, damaged, diseased or otherwise weak canes. As your raspberry plants mature, it is recommended that you cut back the small, thin canes to leave only about 8 to 10 of the strongest ones.

Watering - After Planting

• If summer brings about one to one and a half inches of rainfall every week or so, you won’t need to use the hose. But if it gets really dry, you can give your new plant a good, thorough soaking. The best way to do this is to let your garden hose trickle slowly. This gives the water a chance to soak in instead of running off. You can also use a soaker hose to water several plants at once.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• Water newly planted crowns, and keep soil moist throughout the growing season. 
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Go to our "Plant Features & Video Tab" for more information & tips on caring and maintaining this plant.