Expanding your raspberry patch using your transplants is a fairly easy process. Transplanting Raspberries will save you time and money if you move transplants from your existing patch to start new patches or expand an existing one.
Transplanting Raspberries
Expanding your Raspberry patch
There are three things you need to pay attention to when transplanting raspberries.
- When you should be transplanting raspberries?
- How to transplant raspberries?
- How to care for the plants after transplanting?
When to transplant raspberries
Expanding your raspberry patch using your transplants starts in the early spring. New raspberry plants will start to emerge in your patch very early in the spring.
Raspberries spread via their root system. They spread very aggressively. After only one year you will start to see small new plants coming up surrounding the mother plant. These new plants can be left in place to grow or they can be moved to new spots in your garden.
The key to expanding your raspberry patch using these new plants is to get them moved very early in the spring. Young, small plants transplant much easier. They are easier to move because they don’t have much of a root system yet.
The wet and cool conditions of early spring make it much easier for the transplants to get established in the garden before the heat of summer arrives. So as soon as you start to see the new plants come up get the ones you want to be moved, transplanted!
How to transplant raspberries?
Transplanting raspberries couldn’t be easier. The first step is to decide where you want to transplant too. In that spot dig a 6-inch hole. It’s also a good idea to mix in a little compost in that hole.
Next, sever the transplant from the mother plant. Somewhere under the ground, there is a root from the mother plant connecting the new start.
I sever the plant using a sharp shovel by cutting straight down about 6 inches all around the plant.
Carefully dig up the plant trying hard to keep the root ball intact. Move it to the new hole and firm the soil around the new transplant.
Last spring I moved several plants around in our patch. While I was doing it I filmed a video for my YouTube channel. So if you would like to see this being done you can watch this video. Be sure to subscribe to my channel while you are there.
Care after transplanting raspberries
As soon as you finish transplanting raspberries you should water in the transplant. Give it a good drink right away to ensure the roots are moist and to help the soil settle around the plant.
Over the next few weeks be sure to water often. The new plant won’t have much of a root system at first so it will need plenty of water until the plant is established.
Raspberries also do better with some mulch to keep the soil cool and to help keep weeds down. The mulch can be as simple as a few inches of grass clippings.
It would be even better to use 2 or 3 inches of compost. Put this out right away with new transplants to help minimize stress on the new plants.
Expanding your raspberry patch using your starts is pretty simple and if done early in the year it is also very effective. It’s not a perfect method, I’ve found that around 80% of the transplanted starts will survive. So plan on losing a few starts. (But hey no big deal they were free anyway!)
My patch is a perfect example of how successful this method can be. This big beautiful patch was started 3 years ago using this method with starts from a neighbor’s patch. To learn more about taking care of and pruning raspberries you can check out this article.
How long do seeds last in storage?
Thank you! This video is both educational and timely, since I’m planning to relocate some raspberry plants.
I think this is my last email. Will I be receiving more from you? Did not do well with my seed starting at all. I live in Cleve oh and it has gotten very hot too early. Can I still plant flowering seeds and see the benefits before fall???
I would need to know what your garden zone is and what types of seeds you are planting.
Grew up on Illinois farm, easy to grow anything. Now here in N. Idaho where it is very difficult, poor soil and very short season. I still try very hard with 10 hr. days often. I also have 60 fruit trees, and even they are difficult. Desiring the global warming they keep predicting. Any help appreciated.
What specifically would you like help with?
I’ve tried planting transplants two years in a row now. Last year they didn’t take, but they were in a bad area with little sun. I’m a week into the transplant this year in a new area and I’m concerned again. Leaves drying up, dying , and very little new growth. I feel like I’m keeping them watered enough. Soil is moist but not water logged. I can send over some pictures over email. I have cut dead leaves off on two of the plants just down to the canes to see if they will take. Would love some advice!
Nick, I’m not 100% sure where you live, but you might be doing it too late in the year. I usually transplant shortly after the first green leaves come up. So for us that is early APRIL, not mid May. You might just want to get them transplanted earlier next year.