The Best Time to Transplant Raspberries

Time Frame

• Dig up and transplant raspberry plants when the plants are dormant and the soil is workable and temperatures are cool. Across most of the temperate United States, the best time to transplant is in very early spring. The cool, moist soil conditions of spring allow for the fastest growth of roots after transplanting to sustain new leafy growth expected by mid to late spring. Avoid transplanting from late spring to fall, as the summer's heat will wreak havoc on the foliage, requiring the damaged roots to absorb large quantities of water to keep the plant alive.

Regional Insight

• In the southern tier of states in USDA zones 7b and 8, where raspberries still grow well in the climates with four distinct seasons, fall may be a better time to transplant than spring. Wait until foliage drops in autumn before digging up plants and transplanting them, according to George W. Dickerson of the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service. Horticulturists with the University of Georgia recommend planting anytime from December to March. The milder winters in the southern latitudes do not freeze the soil, allowing raspberry roots to continue to grow over the winter. This results in a more established root system by the time the leaves emerge in spring as temperatures warm and soil moisture needs increase. When in doubt, contact your county's cooperative extension office for advice relevant to your region's climate and soils.

Issues

• Numerous fungal diseases exist in soil that can harm and kill raspberry plants. Two of the most deadly are Verticillium wilt and Phytophthera, but a much wider array of fungi can afflict raspberry canes and leafs as well. Transplanting canes involves cutting roots, which creates large wounds where various fungi can invade the plants and potentially kill them. Do not plant raspberry transplants where other raspberries grew within the past five years. Also don't plant them in an area of the garden where tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants or peppers grew any of the previous three years. Diseases already exist in the soil where these plant grew, increasing the risk of exposure and harm to transplanted raspberries placed in these locations.

Emergency Transplanting

• In some cases, a homeowner may not have the luxury of waiting until early spring to dig and transplant raspberries. Construction or sale of a property may call for immediate removal of plants. If soil is not frozen, raspberries may be dug and transplanted anytime during the growing season, but expect less success and no fruit crop if done during summer. Replant the canes and roots at the same depth they previously grew. Water to maintain an evenly moist soil. Expect lots of wilting during the summer and fall. Do not over-water, as wet soil is conducive for root rot and the proliferation of other fungi that can later afflict the raspberry plants.