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How to Move Raspberry Plants

Whether you have mature raspberry plants you must move to a new location or you are moving raspberry suckers to a permanent growing spot to propagate new raspberry plants, the best time to move raspberry plants is in the spring before new growth begins. Raspberry plants are surprisingly resilient and tolerate moves with little disruption. Once they are properly situated in a new growing location, expect them to take off with vigor.

Prepare new planting holes in the spring as soon as the soil is warm enough to work. Dig holes for the raspberry plants and add some compost to the soil that you remove from the holes (one part compost to one part soil). Space holes for red raspberries approximately 2 feet apart and space holes for black raspberries approximately 3 feet apart. Make the holes so that the raspberry plants will be at the same depth as they were when you removed them from the soil.

  • Whether you have mature raspberry plants you must move to a new location or you are moving raspberry suckers to a permanent growing spot to propagate new raspberry plants, the best time to move raspberry plants is in the spring before new growth begins.
  • Dig holes for the raspberry plants and add some compost to the soil that you remove from the holes (one part compost to one part soil).

Use the shovel to carefully dig mature raspberry plants or use the trowel to dig raspberry suckers. If you are removing the suckers from beneath the parent plants, carefully remove them from the soil and use the pruning shears to separate any common roots from the parent plant. Simply clip the roots off so that they are 3 to 4 inches long extending from the suckers.

Place the dug raspberry plants into the prepared holes immediately. Spread the roots carefully into the holes and fill the compost and soil back in around the roots of the raspberry plants. Pat the soil firmly around the base of the plants.

Cut back mature raspberry plants by approximately one-third after moving them. Dispose of the removed canes. Do not cut back raspberry suckers at all.

  • Use the shovel to carefully dig mature raspberry plants or use the trowel to dig raspberry suckers.
  • If you are removing the suckers from beneath the parent plants, carefully remove them from the soil and use the pruning shears to separate any common roots from the parent plant.

Water the transplanted raspberry plants well after moving them. Provide regular water for one to two weeks after transplanting to ensure they get a good start in their new location.

Mulch generously around the raspberry plants. Place at least 2 inches of shredded mulch around the base of the plants to help prevent weeds and conserve soil moisture.

Tip

Suckers are new and tender raspberry plants that sprout up in the soil under mature raspberry plants.

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