how to prepare a raised rasp bed?

[sheeshshe]

I want to start another raspberry bed and a thread I started once before I believe raised beds were suggested to me. SO, I've never done raised beds before. where do I get soil and what kind of soil and all that jazz? I was thinking about maybe having it 30 feet long strip so that would be a lot of soil right? 4 feet wide?

[DoubleDogFarm]

Lets do a little math.

4 x 30 = 120 sq ft.

If the soil is,
12" deep = 120 cu ft 4 plus yards
6" deep = 60 cu ft 2 plus yards
3" deep = 30 cu ft 1 plus yard

There are 27 cu ft to a yard.

I would start by looking in the phone book under landscape supplies or materials.

Great project. Have you chosen a variety.

Eric

[sheeshshe]

thanks! Am I looking for loam? or what type of dirt do I want?

I have one bed already and most of them died after I planted them this spring. we had an early and HOT spring and summer. One of my moms friends has a huge rasp patch of tons of varieties that they got from Nourse (thats where I got mine as well) and she said this fall I could come and get some. they have all the different color varieties. I also want to get some blackberries as well and put them there too. so I figure I need another strip. I don't know if any of the rasp from this year will come back, my guess is no but people keep telling me that you never know for sure and stuff. so who knows!

[DoubleDogFarm]

thanks! Am I looking for loam? or what type of dirt do I want?

I don't find that raspberries are all that finicky. I started my raised beds with native soil and compost. I do add mulch and manure ever spring.

Most landscape yards carry a two way or three way mix. They tend to be a little pricey but would work well.

Dormant transplants seem to establish better, especially if the are bare root. Potted plants can be planted almost anytime, if watered properly

Eric

[Sage Hermit]

Raspberry leaf tea is a decent antioxidant but as we all know sage is better according to the ORAC scale.

Pests include mold and moth and butter fly larvae. With the right soil ( acidic) and a little maintenance that won't even be an issue.

Raspberries pH of 5.6 - 6.2, row 18'', full sun - partial shade.

I have some pics of my own raspberry beds

[img]https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa267/adaba/aba043.jpg[/img]

Originally posted by Sage Hermit
Made this today by piling up the dirt from both sides and putting the grass side of the sod face down. What is the next step? Should I have let the grass side face up? Was really fun and easy ; only took approx. 35 mins to make 10 foot row.

Ohh I was so excited to do this I forgot all the steps but I guess the sod down was a good call. The cardboard and grass + water will go on ASAP. thx so much yall. I love you guys and gals.

hope that helps. The soil should be there if you have pine trees like me but may need to figure that out.

As a test to this method I planted native raspberries and they outgrew their counter parts in the field by 2 times. True raspberie cultivation takes a bit of Wiring and cutting. I suggest you watch one of the many raspberrie cultivation videos on web for expert knowledge.
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[img]https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa267/adaba/aba060.jpg[/img]
[img]https://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa267/adaba/aba062.jpg[/img]