Fertilizing raspberries: when, how & with what?

Whether mulch, compost or organic fertilizer - we'll tell you when, how and with what best to fertilize your raspberries.

Those who expect a bountiful harvest should get theirs Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) not only cut regularly and water when it is dry, but also provide them with sufficient nutrients. The raspberry is very vigorous and therefore has a relatively high need for nutrients. In this article we will explain when, how and with what best to fertilize your raspberries.

The right time to fertilize the raspberries

In principle, raspberries need most of the nutrients from flowering to harvest. Since organic fertilizers only release these slowly, they have to be applied some time before the start of flowering. This is the only way that the raspberries will have the nutrients available a few weeks later. Sometimes raspberries, just like strawberries, are recommended to be fertilized for the first time in autumn. However, if it gets warm again in autumn, it can lead to a premature, unwanted release of nitrogen. This endangers the winter hardiness of the raspberries. We therefore advise against fertilizing in the autumn and recommend, provided that the weather conditions allow it allow a first fertilization in early spring (March) and a further fertilization before the start of flowering (April May). It is best to use organic slow-release fertilizers such as our Plantura

Organic universal fertilizer. This is particularly gentle on the environment and provides your raspberries with long-term nutrients by slowly decomposing the fertilizer granules.

Fertilize raspberries when planting

When planting, you should put a generous amount of compost in the planting hole before you start the Plant raspberry. If the topsoil is heavy, the plant is completely covered with compost and the topsoil is used for other purposes. The compost earth meets the soil requirements of raspberries in terms of water permeability and root penetration better than heavy soil. A medium-heavy or sandy soil is mixed up with compost. In addition, you can easily use a organic fertilizer fertilized if the planting does not take place too late in autumn. After planting, you should cover the ground with some green cuttings. This reduces the moisture loss at the raspberry root.

Summary: when to fertilize raspberries?

• Improve lean soils with compost
• When planting some organic slow release fertilizer like ours Plantura organic universal fertilizer incorporate
• Annual basic fertilization in spring (March)
• Second fertilization for flower and fruit formation (April / May)

The right fertilizer for raspberries

There are two ways to fertilize your raspberry organic fertilizers as well as Mineral fertilizers and natural fertilizers. We explain to you what to consider when choosing a fertilizer and how you can best proceed with fertilization.

Organically fertilize raspberries: Instructions for ideal application

Those who compost in their own garden and enough compost doesn’t need to think long about what to fertilize his raspberries with. Compost and rotted manure meet the nutritional needs of the raspberries and are ideal for improving the soil in the long term. If you do not have your own garden compost available, but you have a lot of space, you can also plant clover instead of lawn in part of the garden. The clover is then mowed regularly, just like the lawn, and the resulting mulch is placed on the ground next to the raspberry branches. There the clover mulch rots and gradually releases the nutrients it contains. In addition to fertilization, mulch, like compost, improves the soil structure and helps the soil to dry out less quickly.

Allotment gardeners without their own compost heap and green manure options can also use organic commercial fertilizers. Granular fertilizers usually have a better long-term effect and are therefore preferable to liquid fertilizers. They also have many advantages when fertilizing raspberries, such as:

• Long-term supply of nutrients to the raspberry bushes through constant decomposition of microorganisms in the soil
• Promotion of an active soil life and sustainable improvement of the soil structure
• Gentle on humans, pets and garden animals by doing without chemicals

Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer consists mainly of organic, plant-based raw materials and fully meets the criteria mentioned. The nutritional composition of the fertilizer is ideal for berry bushes. A high proportion of nitrogen supports both plant growth and leaf formation, especially in spring. During the vegetation period, sufficient phosphorus and potassium also ensure a rich flowering and fruiting. The production of fertilizer from residues from the food, feed and luxury food industries is also particularly sustainable and resource-saving.

Long-term organic fertilization: Instructions and dosage quantities for raspberries

1. Before planting: 80 - 160 g / m² (6 to 13 heaping tablespoons) of our Plantura Organic universal fertilizer work into the top soil layers
2. Water the inserted raspberry bush well so that the granules can loosen
3. Every spring (from March) fertilize 60-120 g per plant (5 to 10 tablespoons)
4. A smaller application of fertilizer for blossoming and fruiting provides your raspberry with even more optimal support

Fertilize raspberries with minerals

Blue grain, Liquid fertilizer and Co. are popular mineral compound fertilizers, which are also often used for soft fruits. These contain very high concentrations of nutrient salts, which the plants can absorb directly from the soil solution. However, the high nutrient content and rapid release can easily lead to over-fertilization of the plants. The leaching of excess nutrients into deeper soil layers then leads to contamination of the groundwater. Organic fertilizer In comparison, the microorganisms in the soil decompose over a longer period of time and only gradually release the nutrients for the plant.

Fertilize the raspberries with coffee grounds and the like

In addition to organic and mineral fertilizers, there are also various home remedies that can be used for fertilizing in the garden. Many hobby gardeners swear by the use of plant manure as a tonic and use it in their own garden. Nettle manure, for example, contains plenty of nitrogen, potassium and various trace elements. After the fermentation is complete, you can dilute the liquid manure in a ratio of 1:10 with water and water the plant with it. Another natural fertilizer found in almost every household is coffee grounds. The actual waste product is rich in nitrogen and, in a dried form, can be sprinkled around your raspberry bushes. However, coffee grounds should only be used in moderation as a fertilizer, as their acidity lowers the pH value of the soil over the long term.

In addition to fertilization, other care measures are important for a rich raspberry harvest. You can find ours here 10 tips for delicious home-grown raspberries.