1️⃣ Choose the right spot

• Full sun is best (at least 6 hours of sunlight).

• Shelter from strong winds.

• Avoid places where raspberries, potatoes, tomatoes, or strawberries grew recently (to reduce disease).

2️⃣ Prepare the soil

1. Clear weeds and grass.

2. Dig the soil 30–40 cm deep.

3. Mix in garden compost or well-rotted manure.

4. Ensure the soil drains well (raspberries dislike waterlogged soil).

💡 Ideal soil: slightly acidic to neutral.

3️⃣ Install support wires

Summer raspberries like ‘Malling Jewel’ grow tall and need support.

Simple wire support system:

• Put strong posts at each end of the row.

• Run 2 horizontal wires between them:

  • first wire: about 75 cm high

  • second wire: about 1.5 m high

This keeps canes upright and easier to harvest.

4️⃣ Plant the raspberry canes

1. Dig a hole wide enough for the roots.

2. Spread the roots out gently.

3. Plant so the base of the cane sits about 3–5 cm below soil level.

4. Backfill soil and firm gently.

5️⃣ Spacing

• 45 cm between plants

• 1.5–1.8 m between rows

This gives good airflow and easier picking.

6️⃣ Water well

After planting:

• Water thoroughly to settle the soil.

• Keep soil moist but not soggy during the first growing season.

7️⃣ Mulch

Add 5–8 cm of mulch (compost, leaf mould, or bark) around plants:

• Keeps moisture in

• Suppresses weeds

• Feeds the soil

8️⃣ First pruning

For summer raspberries like ‘Malling Jewel’:

• Leave new canes to grow in the first year.

• After fruiting (summer):

  • Cut the old fruiting canes down to ground level.

  • Tie new green canes to the support wires.

✅ What to expect:

• Small crop in year 1–2

• Full harvest from late June to July each year once established.