It is difficult to attribute raspberries to the list of obligatory plants that should be on the site. This is not a nutritious vegetable, not a melon crop, and not a cereal that can feed the whole family. Nevertheless, almost every summer resident or gardener contains at least a couple of raspberry bushes on his farm. It pleases owners with its colorful appearance, and during the ripening period it allows you to enjoy the most delicate taste and unique aroma. To obtain this result, you should devote a little attention to caring for this berry. If you choose the right fertilizer for raspberries, taking into account the development conditions and the season, it will certainly provide a beautiful and rich harvest.
Fertilizing during planting
The advantages of this berry include unpretentiousness to the soil. In most cases, raspberries do not require additional provision of a fertilizer planting site and grows by itself, developing and even invading other areas of the site. But this does not always happen, and for the right result, you should still be prepared to support the plant from the moment of its planting.
The first fertilizer for raspberries is introduced into the hole immediately before planting, then a seedling is also placed in this hole. As part of this top dressing may contain 0.2 kg of superphosphate, 80 g of potassium sulfide and about 8 kg of humus. In extreme cases, potassium and superphosphate can be replaced with ash, which in general is a universal component for feeding. But in general, raspberries most likely accept potassium. Another thing is that it is important to observe proportions, otherwise the effect will be the opposite.
Secondary feeding
After planting, to stimulate the development of raspberries, it is worth adding another portion of fertilizer. The basis of the composition in this case will be organic fertilizers, among which - manure and mullein. It is best to use raspberry organic fertilizer in early spring, as in the fall, rains adversely affect absorption. Amateur summer residents also experiment with chicken droppings during the formation of berries. As for mullein, it is used in a weak solution. Some gardeners recommend the use of mullein when planting, dipping seedling roots into it. According to the classical scheme, it should be used in a ratio of 0.5 l per bucket of water. Make a solution at the rate of 5 liters per 1 m 2 of landings. The effect of such support should appear in June. If the plant looks weak, then you can additionally apply a solution of manure, diluting 2 kg of it in a bucket of water.
Spring fertilizer
Many summer residents note a great responsibility for the main spring feeding. It can be a complex fertilizer, including various components. For example, organo-mineral applications are used as universal additives. It is advisable to use means based on humus. Typically, such substances are diluted in a bucket of water, adding a few tablespoons of active elements. If possible, you can put a couple of spoons of nitrophoska. Also feeding raspberries in spring with mineral fertilizers involves the inclusion of nitrogen components. But here it is important to take into account the nuances of making such dressings. They should be added before loosening the soil, immediately closing it into the ground as close as possible to the root system.
Fertilizer in the fall
At this time, it is worth focusing on organics, among which one can distinguish manure, compost and the mentioned bird droppings. It is advisable to introduce manure that is not overripe at the rate of 6 kg per 1 m 2 . Just in the winter months, he will finally cross over and give the plant the necessary elements for spring recovery. In addition, during severe frosts, manure will provide warming of the berry. It is worth noting that fertilizers for raspberries in the spring are mainly added with an emphasis on stimulating the development of fruits. However, in the fall, the protective and restorative functions of the supplements still come to the fore. This is confirmed by the inclusion in the composition of chicken manure with rotted compost. In addition to providing the necessary nutrients, such additives disinfect the plant.
Mulching
The protective measures include the use of mulch. For raspberries, this is a particularly important care operation, since it allows you to retain soil moisture. By the way, precisely because of the regulation of the humidity regime, many summer residents refuse to perform soil cultivation, even surface soil. But it is better to compensate for the missing characteristics of the soil structure by mulching. In part, this may be a fertilizer for raspberries, presented in the form of the same manure, peat and litter with compost. Do not ignore the traditional mulch containing garden weeds, corn cobs, tree foliage, straw and sawdust. Each bush is wrapped with material so that there are no translucent places.
Pest protection
If under favorable growth conditions raspberries can do without fertilizers that nourish the soil, then in the fight against diseases and pests its individual protective properties are not enough. Although the bushes of this berry are not so often affected by insects, such adversity can ruin the entire crop. It is advisable to use not pesticides, but folk remedies. In particular, mustard powder diluted with water in a ratio of 100 g per 10 liters is suitable. It is also worth trying an additive based on onion peel - 200 g is poured with 10 l of water and infused for 4 days. The finished solution, by the way, can also be used as a full-fledged fertilizer for raspberries, and the husk will fit as mulch. Spraying from diseases can be performed using the same ash, diluted in a solution with laundry soap.
Extra care
A mandatory operation aimed at maintaining the growth of raspberries is the cutting of the shoots, which lushly frames the main bush. It is not worth it to pity, since such processes do not bring benefits, and they readily absorb nutrients. Other vegetation surrounding raspberries should also be looked out regularly. Fertilizing with fertilizers promotes the development of planting, but if other plants pick up nutrients, the positive effect will noticeably decrease.
In addition, it is necessary to constantly create conditions for the further development of the bush. For this, special garters are formed. To organize such a system will allow the lines of trellis wire drawn along the entire landing. At the level of each bush, serifs for the stems should be performed. This will allow access to light for the lower parts of raspberries, as well as protect the upper branches from falling and pollution.
Conclusion
The procedures described should be performed for at least several seasons. Especially when it comes to new landings. With the successful observance of these recommendations, you can count on getting tasty and fragrant fruits, which will bring well-groomed raspberries. Planting, fertilizers, pest control and bush care is also an incomplete list of actions that a novice gardener should take into account when growing a berry. After harvesting, you should also take proper care of the bush. Thawing branches must be removed so that they leave room for young shoots and do not interfere with their development of the remaining time before winter.