The benefits of raspberries have been known to ancient physicians since the 3rd century BC. The first mentions of raspberries as a garden crop date back to the IV century AD. On the territory of our country, systematic selection work on the shrub began in the 17th century. Today, this wonderful berry is grown in various climatic conditions, both in industrial and amateur gardening. However, in order for this activity to bring the maximum result, the gardener must understand what raspberries like more – sun or shade. This will depend on where to plant raspberry bushes and how to properly care for them.
Placing raspberries
With all the unpretentiousness and hardiness of raspberries, obtaining a good varietal harvest of this crop is possible only if agrotechnical conditions are observed. They start with choosing the right place for planting raspberry bushes.
To place raspberries in the garden, focus on the following factors:
- Fertility and mechanical composition of the soil.
- Lighting.
- Humidity.
- Landscape.
- Orientation on the sides of the world.
When choosing a site for planting raspberries, check that the soil is drained and has a light or medium composition, with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. The permissible slope of the site is 3-4 degrees.
Good predecessors for this culture are pure steam and siderates, but it is not recommended to plant raspberries after potatoes, tomatoes or perennial herbs. The duration of cultivation in one place should not exceed 5-6 years.
Raspberry bushes are best planted from north to south. Areas oriented to the northwest or southeast are also suitable. Southern slopes can be used for organizing additional watering or irrigation.
However, it is equally important to pay attention to the illumination of the raspberry plantation by the sun. If wild raspberries can produce in forest conditions with strong shading, then varietal raspberries need more sunlight. Next, we will find out whether this culture can grow in the shade.
Sunlight for raspberries in the southern regions
The intensity of sunlight and the length of the daylight hours are of great importance for obtaining a bountiful harvest of raspberries. However, the climatic conditions of the area, which affect the cultivation of this berry, are no less important.
In the southern regions with a dry and hot climate, placing raspberries in open sunny places most often leads to negative results. Under the scorching rays of the sun, it is unlikely that a tasty and large berry will ripen, even if an ovary appears on the bushes. Placing the plantation in the sun will inevitably lead to burning and loss of most of the crop, even with artificial irrigation.
In southern climates, raspberries grow better in natural or artificial shade. The necessary shade can be created by planting taller, but not densely located bushes nearby.
Artificial shade can be created with the help of fences, structures or special devices made of mesh or shields. Plants near these structures should be located so that they are well lit by the sun in the morning and/or afternoon hours. Under such conditions, the varietal raspberry will show all its best qualities, its berries will be sweet and of the stated size.
However, even in the hot southern climate, you should not plant raspberries in a dense shade, where the sun’s rays practically do not fall. Shoots will stretch out, the number of ovaries will decrease. A ripe berry will be not only small, but also more acidic than predicted by varietal characteristics.
Lighting requirements in a temperate climate
The question of where to plant raspberries – in the sun or in the shade – interests many gardeners whose plots are located in regions with a temperate climate. In this case, placing raspberry plants in the shade is not desirable.
This is primarily due to unstable weather and a limited number of sunny days. Insufficient sunlight in shady places prevents the fruits from gaining the necessary amount of sugar, and at the same time increases the content of organic acids. As a result, even sweet varieties yield sour berries.
In some cases, timely application of fertilizers can correct the situation. However, raspberries are usually stunted and produce poor yields if planted:
- In the shade of tall trees and shrubs.
- Near high thickly overgrown fences.
- Near the walls of buildings and structures that cast a thick shadow.
Regular thinning of plantings and proper formation of bushes improves the illumination of stems and leaves by sunlight, promotes uniform formation and ripening of the crop.
Do not forget that the ripening of one-year shoots, on which the harvest of the next season is laid, also depends on sunlight. With its deficiency, the shoots may not ripen and die in the winter cold. Therefore, it is important to take care of optimal lighting for raspberries to ensure their healthy growth and fruitfulness.
Reliable varieties for sun and shade
- Raspberry “Usborn” (Autumn Bliss): This raspberry variety is relatively undemanding to lighting and grows from the second half of summer to the beginning of autumn. It has large, sweet and aromatic berries.
- Raspberry “Golden Queen”: This variety is distinguished by its large, golden berries. It is also quite undemanding to lighting and can grow well in private gardens.
- Raspberry “Himbo” (Himbo Top): This variety of raspberry has large, light red berries with a pleasant taste. It is characterized by a high yield and grows well in conditions of limited lighting.
- Tulameen raspberry: This raspberry variety has dark red berries with a good taste and aroma. It can adapt to insufficient lighting and grow well indoors.
- Polka raspberry: This raspberry variety is characterized by large, bright red berries. It has high disease resistance and can grow successfully even with little access to sunlight.
Note that different raspberry cultivars may be suitable for different climates and geographic areas, so it is recommended that you check with local gardeners or experts before purchasing plants who will be able to provide specific advice based on your location.
How to get a raspberry harvest under natural lighting at different times of the year
Raspberries are a tasty and useful berry, but the harvesting season is short. Many gardeners strive to get not only very early or very late harvests of berries, but also to grow them even in conditions of a short winter day.
Remontant and traditional varieties are suitable for obtaining an early harvest.
In order for the spring sun to help the plantings wake up 14-15 days earlier, arcs are installed above them, agrofibre is stretched and nitrogen fertilizers are applied. The shelter is removed when the shoots grow to 35-40 cm.
Pinching the tops helps postpone the flowering of remontant varieties. The installation of a film shelter continues the continuous fruiting of the bushes until the middle or even the end of November. At the same time, no additional lighting or heating is used.
Heated greenhouses are increasingly used to harvest raspberries in winter and early spring. Raspberries in this case do not require additional artificial lighting. It blooms and bears fruit at relatively low temperatures. +18°C – +20°C is enough for her during the day, and +12°C at night.
Berries grown in a greenhouse are large and dense. This increases transportability and marketability.
Raspberry is a hardy plant. It gives a full harvest both in conditions of good sunlight and in moderate partial shade. Thanks to the correct methods of processing and care, gardeners can enjoy delicious berries for a long period of cultivation.