Early spring planting is best. Normally, plants can be set in late March or early April. It is better to delay planting than to attempt to work wet soil.
Fall planting may be done if the expected press of spring work will make spring planting difficult. Planting can be done in late October or early November after the plants have become dormant but before the soil freezes. A light mulch applied within the row area will reduce the loss of such plants from heaving caused by freezing and thawing of the soil.
Four factors determine spacing in a bramble planting. These are the size of the farm equipment, the training system desired, the growth habits of the cultivar, and the cost of transplants.
The size of the farm equipment will determine the row width. The training system, the growth habits, and the investment desired will determine the distance between plants in the row.
Two types of training systems are used - the hedgerow and the linear systems. All systems can be used with red and yellow raspberries and blackberries. Black and purple raspberries are usually trained to the linear system.
Hedgerow - This is the most popular training system for red raspberries. Set the plants about 2-1/2 to three feet apart in the row and eight to 12 feet between rows. Sucker plants from underground stems will form a solid and continuous row in one or two years.
Linear - This system differs from the hedgerow in planting. Fruiting canes come from the crown of the original plant. For red raspberries, set plants at the same distance as in the hedgerow system.
Black and purple raspberries and blackberries are usually trained to the linear system. Set plants two to four feet apart in the row and seven to 12 feet between rows. For mechanical harvesting, close spacing in the row is preferred.
|
Table 1. Number of Plants per Acre at Different Spacing
|
|||
| Spacing Between | Spacing Between Rows | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Plants in Row | 8 Feet | 10 Feet | 12 Feet |
| Feet | Number of Plants | ||
|
2
|
2,772
|
2,178
|
1,815
|
|
3
|
1,815
|
4,452
|
1,210
|
|
4
|
1,360
|
1,090
|
907
|
|
5
|
1,090
|
870
|
726
|
|
6
|
907
|
726
|
605
|
|
8
|
680
|
544
|
453
|
|
10
|
544
|
435
|
362
|
|
Table 2. Suggested Spacing and System of Management
for Brambles.
|
||
| Type of Bramble |
Spacing1 (feet) |
Management System |
|---|---|---|
| Red, yellow raspberry | 2 x 10 | Hedgerow-low trellis |
| Black raspberry | 2.5 x 10 | Linear-low trellis |
| Erect raspberry | 3 x 12 | Linear-no trellis |
| Purple raspberry | 3 x 12 | Linear-no trellis |
| Thornless raspberry | 6 x 12 | Linear-high trellis |
| 1Spacing between rows should be increased for fertile soils, large equipment. | ||
The spacings discussed in Tables 1 and 2 allow cultural operations with regular two-plow tractors and mounted equipment.
Fall Red Raspberries - The plants should be two to three feet apart in rows 10 to 12 feet apart, with 1,207 to 2,178 plants per acre. In-row spacing is not critical because the plants will eventually make a solid hedgerow. Three-foot spacing reduces the cost of plants, but the row is slower to fill in where the plants do not live. A 12- to 18-inch spacing may increase first-year yields and could be economically feasible.
Purple Raspberries - The current spacing suggestion for these new, vigorous varieties is three feet apart in rows nine to 12 feet apart. Dormant mechanical hedging of the sides and the tops helps to keep rows narrow.
Thornless Blackberries - The plants should be six to eight feet apart in rows 10 to 12 feet apart. This will result in 363 to 601 plants per acre. These plants are vigorous growers and need considerable space, especially late in the season. Use a two-wire or three-wire trellis for support.