Can you help with my raspberry plants?

This year I planted 19 raspberry plants (5 Heritage, 5 Killarney 5 Joan J 4 Crimson Night) which I purchased from Burbee. I had a professional landscaper prepare a 12" deep by 12' x 12' garden. Mirifi weed barrier was placed 12 inches deep and screened topsoil and organic compost used for 12 inches. I planted the plants in the end of May and as directed 2-3 inches deep. Unfortunately, we had a very wet spring. The hail storm a few days before Memorial Day did not break the plants but was 4-5 inches deep. A few weeks later we had a thunderstorm that dumped 2.5" of rain in 35 minutes. 17 plants are failing and two plants are green (1 Heritage 1 Crimson night). Most of the plants at one time had new shoots or leaves from the old wood. The remaining 17 plants have no leaves and no shoots are coming up from the ground. The garden is not in a low lying area. The garden does drains very well. I think the massive rain is the issue. Frequent rain continues. Will I have to replant? I grew raspberries many years ago at a different house and never experienced this problem.
Any help/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Thank you.

Answer

Prune all the canes at soil level in the summer after they have, or should have, produced fruit. If they produce new canes in the spring, once they are 8-10" high, prune out all but the strongest four or five new canes of each plant. If the rain has destroyed the plants, consider making raised beds to further increase the drainage.

  • Last Updated Jan 22, 2021
  • Views 47
  • Answered By Aska Gardener

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