Protection in the Fall Will Guarantee an Abundance of Raspberries: What to Put Under the Bushes in November?

To prune raspberries, remove old canes that have already produced fruit after they've finished fruiting in the summer or during the dormant season. For fall-bearing raspberries, you can either cut all canes to the ground in the dormant season for a single, larger fall crop or prune spent summer-fruiting canes and leave the new canes that will produce a fall crop. To replace bushes, monitor them for declining health and fruit production; older plants or those that become diseased may need to be replaced, but there's no fixed timeframe for replacement as it depends on the plant's condition.

 

“The main work that needs to be done to preserve plants is to create reliable protection for the roots already in November. The roots prepared in this way will successfully survive the winter and will delight the next season with a rich harvest of sweet berries.

 

Proper mulching – saving the roots

 

The most popular method of protecting the roots is mulching. Mulch acts as a warm blanket, retaining heat and protecting the roots from sudden temperature changes. Peat. This is an extremely popular mulching tool. Peat is laid in a layer of up to 7 cm – it perfectly retains heat and envelops the roots. Straw. Another effective option is straw. A 10 cm layer should be poured under the bush, which would reliably hide and protect the roots from frost.

 

The main work that needs to be done to preserve plants is to create reliable protection for the roots already in November. Sawdust. Sawdust can also be used – small 10–12 cm high layers are poured under the bushes in piles. In a few years, they will rot and become a natural fertilizer that enriches the soil.

 

Additional protection against frost and pests

 

For additional protection, coniferous branches (spruce branches) can be used. They are laid on top of the mulch or directly on the bushes. Coniferous branches not only insulate the roots, but also create a natural barrier against pests and rodents. In addition to protecting the roots, it is useful to fertilize raspberries a little in the spring with organic fertilizers, such as rotted manure or compost. This will help the bushes recover faster after winter and produce a large harvest. These simple measures will ensure that raspberries survive even the harshest winter and next year will delight with abundant, aromatic berries.”