Raspberry help :)

[SuzyLee]

5 years ago we planted 2 (purchased) plants in a 4x8 bed and they quickly spread and we got great yields within 2-3 years. They spread so dang much that we decided to move them out of our raised bed garden, lol.

So last spring we made a new 4x20' garden. We dug up all the planted and planted them throughout the new bed. Most of them died and a few have new shoots this year (like 5-8).

Possible factors: 1. Weeding. I didmy best to keep the weeds in check but I had a 3 month old so I wasn't compltetely on top of it.

2. The bed used to be a driveway that we had ripped out, and about 8" of new dirt put in. But under that 8" is probably gravel/clay. I thought that would be plenty of dirt for raspberries but maybe not?

So moving forward I have the whole bed weeded again. But I do not have time to keep weeding all summer. I am thinking about mulching with leaves. What do you think? I do mulch with cut grass too but I would need a ton of grass and I think the weeds will take over before I have enough.

I am also going to get some more plants from a neighbor so hopefully that will help. We are in MN if that makes a difference.

[mattemma04]

My beds are full of weeds and they still grew decent.My only problem has been soil issues. Some soil was water logged.Some soil I used to much of the yard clay soil instead of investing in good soil.

Hope you have a better growning season.

Japanese Beetles love eating my raspberry leaves.

[weliveintheforest]

I think it's normal for raspberries not to do as well after moving them. Even if they are a couple years old, after the move you can have a bad year before they get going again.  The ones putting out new shoots might do well.  I think mulching with leaves is a good idea. 

[SuzyLee]

We have loads of beetles (I thought they were cane borers but ???) but it never seemed to effect berry production.

Another neighbor just offered me plants, yay!

I am going to put leaves down in a few days after I finish up the weeding, I'll update in a month or so with how that goes. Keep the advice coming!