Any summer resident can get a rich harvest of sweet and aromatic berries. Raspberries are easy to care for, but there are mistakes that you need to remember and not make.
Don't cut or do it wrong
First of all, the raspberry tree needs to be inspected for the presence of broken and diseased branches. Ball-shaped growths mean that a raspberry fly overwintered in this place. All damaged branches should be cut off and burned. They cannot be sent to compost.
The tops of the branches need to be pinched down to the first bud, the cut should be made obliquely so that the stump does not stick out. This is done to increase fruiting. After pruning, the branches begin to actively produce side shoots, which will also produce a harvest.
When the side shoots grow 30 centimeters, they can also be pinched back to the first bud, thereby further increasing the harvest.
Don't tie it up
If raspberry shoots are not tied up or tied up incorrectly, the harvest will be less. The fact is that when the plantings are dense, the branches shade each other and the berries do not form on the lower tiers of the bush. And the entire harvest is concentrated only at the ends of the branches.
With proper garter, the branches are distributed evenly over the trellis or in small groups of 2-3 pieces. At the same time, the bush will be better ventilated and less damaged by diseases and pests.
Spring digging
The root system of raspberries is close to the surface of the earth and can be easily damaged when digging.It is enough to loosen the soil, remove weeds and mulch the bushes with humus, mown grass or rotted sawdust. Under the mulch, the soil will be soft and retain moisture longer. In addition, mulch is organic, which means that raspberries will receive additional nutrition from it.
Lack of fertilizing
If the raspberries are young and a large amount of fertilizer is placed in the hole when planting, then the raspberry plant does not require additional fertilizing for two years. In other cases, raspberries need to be fertilized, otherwise the berries will ripen later and there will be fewer of them. The first feeding is carried out as soon as the average daily temperature is +5°. At this time, the plant needs nitrogen to grow green mass.
The second feeding is carried out during the period of flowering and berry setting. At this time, the bushes need phosphorus, potassium and a little nitrogen.
Do not treat for pests
Treatment against pests should be carried out only after pruning all diseased branches. The first spring treatment is done even before the buds open in dry, windless weather. You can use Bordeaux mixture at a concentration of 3%. Spray correctly starting from the ground around the bush and branches along the entire length.
During the flowering period, you can additionally treat with biological products Trichodermin or Baktofit.
Spring care of raspberries does not require a lot of time, but will allow you to get a rich harvest. If you follow the basic rules of care, the raspberries will bear fruit for many years.
