Raspberry Care (primocane red raspberries like ‘Nantahala’)

Primocane (fall-bearing) raspberries fruit on current-season canes, which makes pruning simple and reliable for home growers: mow all canes to the ground each winter, and a fresh flush will fruit late summer into fall. This “single-crop” system avoids complex cane separation and fits warm regions where summer diseases can pressure floricane crops.

Site, soil & climate fit

Raspberries favor cool to warm summers and dislike heat + drought. Give full sun but, in hot sites, a touch of afternoon shade can protect fruit quality. Like blackberries, they prefer a fertile, well-drained loam (pH 5.8–6.5). Shallow roots mean steady moisture matters—mulch 2–3" and use drip. Raised rows help in heavier soils.

Spacing & support

Set plants ~2–3 ft apart in rows 8–10 ft apart. Erect primocane reds often stand with minimal support, but a low two-wire guide (e.g., 30" and 42–48") helps keep a tidy, narrow hedge that dries quickly after rain.

Cropping systems

• Single fall crop (recommended): In late winter, cut all canes to ground level. New primocanes will grow and fruit on their tips and upper laterals in late summer–fall.
• Two-crop option (advanced): Retain some canes over winter for a light early-summer floricane crop, then primocanes provide a fall crop. This requires careful labeling and pruning of two cane classes and is more disease-prone in warm, humid regions.

Fertility & irrigation

Start with a soil test. As a baseline, apply a modest balanced fertilizer in early spring and again lightly after bloom if growth looks pale. Keep water steady from flowering through harvest (~1–1.5" per week). Over-fertilizing—especially with high nitrogen—pushes soft growth and invites pests.

Pruning & cane density

In the single-crop system, winter mowing eliminates guesswork and disease harborage. During summer, thin only if the stand becomes overly dense; maintain a hedge ~18–24" wide. After harvest, remove spent tips if they lodge.

Pests & diseases

Late-season fruit can attract spotted wing drosophila; pick frequently, chill promptly, and avoid leaving overripe berries. Maintain airflow: narrow rows, remove weeds, and avoid overhead irrigation. Sanitation (removing spent canes) is your primary defense against cane blights and Botrytis; copper or biofungicide programs can help where historical pressure is high.

Harvest

Harvest at full color when berries detach cleanly with good aroma. Chill immediately and handle gently; thin cell walls and high respiration make raspberries highly perishable.

Sources & further reading

• Penn State Extension, Brambles in the Home Fruit Planting.
• NC State Extension, Pruning Blackberries and Raspberries (cane classes & timing).
• NC State, Southeast Regional Caneberry Production Guide (overview).