Raspberry Fertilizing Needs
Raspberry fertilizing needs are very basic and not hard to keep up with. Raspberry plant fertilizer should be heavy in nitrogen, although a balanced type is often preferred. For instance, the best fertilizer for raspberry bushes is a 10-10-10 fertilizer or actual nitrogen at a rate of 4 to 5 pounds (1.8 to 2.3 kg.) per 100 feet (30.4 m.) of row. If you’re looking for organic raspberry plant fertilizer, you can substitute with manure (50 to 100 pounds (22.7 to 45.4 kg.) per 100 feet (30.4 m.) of row) or a combination of cottonseed meal, langbeinite, and rock phosphate (in a 10-3-10 ratio).
When to Feed Raspberries
Fertilizer for raspberry bushes should be applied soon after planting, once they’ve had some time to establish. Make sure to place it 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm.) away from the stems – direct contact can burn the plants. After your raspberries are established, fertilize them once per year every spring at a slightly higher rate than the first year. Always fertilize your raspberry plants in the spring. Fertilizer, particularly when it’s heavy in nitrogen, encourages new growth. This is good in the spring, but can be dangerous in the summer and fall. Any new growth that appears too late in the season won’t have time to mature before the cold of winter and will likely be damaged by frost, which causes the plant unnecessary harm. Don’t be tempted to fertilize later in the season, even if the plants seem weak.
