Today I would like to chat about growing, planting, and caring for different kinds of raspberries in Northern Ontario, Canada.

First off, it should be noted that Raspberries are a delicious and nutritious fruit that can be easily grown here in the north, or for that matter anywhere. Well … other than the desert. There are many different varieties of raspberries, but the two most common types are red raspberries and black raspberries. In this post, I will go through the process of growing, planting, and caring for both types of raspberries.

Red Raspberries

Red raspberries are the most common type of raspberry and are known for their sweet taste. They are typically grown on upright canes and produce fruit in the summer. Here are the steps to grow red raspberries in Northern Ontario:

1. Choose a suitable location: Red raspberries require full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
2. Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and mix in organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This will help improve the soil’s fertility and drainage.
3. Plant the raspberries: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the plant’s roots, and plant the raspberry cane at the same depth as it was in its container. Space the plants 2 to 3 feet apart in rows that are 6 feet apart.
4. Water the raspberries: Water the raspberries thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
5. Mulch the raspberries: Apply a layer of organic mulch like straw or wood chips around the base of the plants. This will help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth.
6. Prune the raspberries: In the first year, prune the raspberry canes back to about 6 inches above the ground. In subsequent years, prune the canes that have produced fruit and leave the new canes that will produce fruit the following year.
7. Fertilize the raspberries: Apply a balanced fertilizer in the spring and mid-summer to help promote healthy growth and fruit production. I prefer Natural Fertilizers such as cow manure. If you have to buy a commercial brand, make sure all the numbers are the same. An example would be 10-10-10.

Black Raspberries

Black raspberries are less common than red raspberries but are known for their unique flavor. They are typically grown on trailing canes and produce fruit in the early summer. Here are the steps to grow black raspberries in Northern Ontario:

1. Choose a suitable location: Black raspberries require full sun and well-drained soil. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
2. Prepare the soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches and mix in organic matter like compost or well-rotted manure. This will help improve the soil’s fertility and drainage.
3. Plant the raspberries: Dig a hole deep enough to accommodate the plant’s roots, and plant the raspberry cane at the same depth as it was in its container. Space the plants 3 to 4 feet apart in rows that are 8 feet apart.
4. Water the raspberries: Water the raspberries thoroughly after planting and keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
5. Mulch the raspberries: Apply a layer of organic mulch like straw or wood chips around the base of the plants. This will help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weed growth.
6. Train the raspberries: Black raspberries are trailing plants and require support. Install a trellis or support system to keep the canes off the ground.
7. Prune the raspberries: In the first year, prune the raspberry canes back to about 6 inches above the ground. In subsequent years, prune the canes that have produced fruit and leave the new canes that will produce fruit the following year.
8. I hope this might be of some help, and have a great day!