How to Grow Berry Vines

Choose the correct site. Berry vines need full sun, or sunlight for 6 to 8 hours per day. The soil should be loamy with a pH between 5.8 and 6.5. Test your soil with a pH test kit before planting.

Prepare the area for planting. Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Berry vines need somewhat loose soil to properly establish. Place a trellis right over the planting to train the vines. A fence will do or you can make your own trellis out of wood, or purchase a pre-made trellis.

Plant the vines to the depth of the container they are came in. For example, if you have a 6-inch pot, plant the vine 6 inches deep. Pack the soil firmly around the rootball of the vine and mound some soil up at the top.

Water the vines. Water immediately after planting the vine, and then weekly as necessary until the plants flower. At this point, they will need to be watered frequently. In dry climates, water berry vines daily. In moist climates, every two to four days is sufficient. The soil around the vine should be dark brown but not muddy. Do not leave standing water around the vines.

Harvest when the berries are mature. Summer-bearing berry vines harvest typically in late June to mid-July. Everbearing vines produce two crops, one in early summer and the last in mid-fall.

Prune the vines back. Pruning should be done after every harvest. Cut back canes to about 1 inch from the main stem of the plant. Canes taller than 5 feet should be pruned back to under 4 feet. Weak canes should be cut back to the stem.

Winterize the plants. If you live in a very cold climate, cut back the raspberry plants to just above the ground and cover them with a cone. These cones can be purchased at most garden or hardware stores. For warmer climates, a fall pruning is typically sufficient.