Edible Plants

Raspberries, problems

• Weeds

  Raspberries grow better when their growing area is free of weeds. Remove weeds before planting. Raspberry bushes appreciate a layer of mulch between 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) deep on the soil surface. The mulch suppresses weeds and helps retain soil moisture. Renew the mulch layer each season. Good choices for mulch include shredded bark, bark or wood chips, grass clippings or compost.

  Pests

  Spotted wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is a fruit fly first found in 2008 damaging fruit in many California counties. It infests ripening cherries throughout the state and ripening raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, and strawberry crops, especially in coastal areas. It also has been observed occasionally attacking other soft-flesh fruit such as plums, plumcots, nectarines, and figs when conditions are right. Read more about this invasive pest.

  Other common pests include:

  Raspberry horntail (larvae of wood wasps)
  Raspberry crown borers (larvae of clear wing moths)
  Spider mites

  Read more about pests of raspberries.

  Diseases

  Raspberries may get fungal diseases such as:

  Verticillium wilt
  Armillaria root rot
  Phytopthora root rot

  Read about other diseases of raspberries.