Raspberries are popular with many home gardeners. They’re easy to grow, and perform well in much of Iowa. However, gardeners can run into issues with pests, disease, heat, weeds and pruning that curtail yields.
Below are frequently asked questions about common problems gardeners encounter when growing raspberries at home.
Insect Pests
- How do I stop yellowjackets from feeding on my raspberries?
- There are small, black beetles feeding on my raspberries. What can I do?
- How do I get rid of white worms in my raspberries?
Diseases & Disorders
- What are the little black dots on canes of my black raspberries?
- Why are there white spots on my raspberries?
Animal Pests
Care Concerns
- How can I control weeds in my raspberries?
- Should I water my raspberries during dry weather?
- When should I fertilize my raspberries?
- My red raspberries are spreading rapidly. What should I do?
Pruning Concerns
- How can I tell dead canes from live shoots when pruning raspberries in late winter?
- Is it necessary to prune raspberries in summer?
- Can I prune my red raspberries back to the ground in late fall?
- What is the proper way to prune fall-bearing red raspberries in late winter/early spring?
- What is the proper way to prune summer-bearing red raspberries in late winter/early spring?
- What are the proper pruning procedures for purple raspberries?
- What is the proper way to prune black raspberries in late winter/early spring?
- What is the proper way to prune yellow raspberries in late winter/early spring?
Photo credits: 1:sasimoto/AdobeStock; 2: Michelle Grabowski, University of Minnesota; 3: rodimovpavel/AdobeStock