Yard and Garden: All about Raspberries
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists offer tips on growing and pruning raspberries.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists offer tips on growing and pruning raspberries.
Raspberries are adaptable to a wide range of soil types. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulture specialists share information about raspberry varieties, planting sites and times, as well as growing blackberries in Iowa.
Raspberries are an easy to grow crop for home gardeners. Good cultural practices help ensure an excellent fruit crop. Important cultural practices during the summer months include pruning, weed control and irrigation.
Gray mold caused serious losses to some greenhouse growers of raspberries in Iowa last year. Gray mold or Botrytis blight is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea, which has a wide host range with over 200 reported hosts among ornamentals plants, vegetables and fruits. In addition, Botrytis can cause different kinds of plant diseases, attacking seedlings, flowers, fruits, stems and foliage. It is also a major cause of postharvest rot in fruits. The disease can occur in the greenhouse as well as in the field when weather is humid and cool.