Notes on Raspberry Diseases and Insects

Plant raspberries on well-drained sites with good air circulation.
Plant new raspberries on 25-30 cm (10-12 in.) raised beds to improve drainage and reduce the risk of phytophthora root rot. This is especially important on sites with clay loams, water table fluctuations or where susceptible varieties will be grown.
Space rows at least 2.5 m apart. Limit width of plants within rows to 30-45 cm. Thin excess canes in the row.
Immediately after harvest is finished, prune out fruiting canes and weak growth if cane diseases are a problem. However, if winter injury is a problem, on susceptible varieties like Titan for example, delay pruning until canes are fully dormant.
Keep rows free from weeds.
In spring, prune out and burn canes or portions of canes with swelling, or scars and cracks.
In the growing season, maintain a narrow row width by repeatedly mowing small primocanes that grow into the row middles.

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