Raspberries are one of the most generous and unpretentious berries, but even they grow and bear fruit better if suitable “neighbors” are planted nearby. It's not just about the sun and watering. The right plants nearby will help raspberries get sick less, produce more berries and even make them sweeter. The author of the Zen channel “Harvest Garden and Vegetable Garden” (12+) spoke about this.
Lupine
Plant lupine between raspberry rows in spring. It saturates the soil with nitrogen, making it soft and loose. When the lupine blooms, cut it off and leave it directly on the ground, it makes an excellent mulch. The main thing is not to plant it close to the bushes so as not to block the light.
Green manure
Raspberries do not tolerate dry soil well, so it is better to cover the roots. It is best to sow phacelia, mustard or buckwheat between the bushes. They grow quickly, do not interfere with raspberries, retain moisture and repel pests. But don’t plant oats, rye or wheat: they draw out all the water and can bring disease.
Nettle
Do not rush to pull out nettles from the edges of the raspberry tree. It makes the berries sweeter and more aromatic. Just mow it once a month and leave it under the bushes. This is both top dressing and mulch. And nettle infusion can be watered once every two weeks, especially when it blooms.
Sorrel
Raspberries like to send out their offspring to the sides. To prevent it from taking over the entire garden, plant sorrel along the edges of the raspberry tree. Its roots naturally restrain the growth of shoots. Plus, you'll always have fresh greens in early spring.
Who else is “friends” with raspberries?
- Garlic and onions repel pests.
- Marigolds and calendula protect against nematodes and attract ladybugs.
- Pumpkin or zucchini can be planted nearby, but make sure that the leaves do not cover the raspberries.
What is better not to plant nearby:
- Potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants can transmit diseases to raspberries.
- Mint and lemon balm, as they grow quickly and will crowd out raspberries.
- Other raspberry varieties if they bloom at different times. This interferes with pollination.
If you plant at least lupine this year and leave some nettles, next summer you will notice: the berries have become larger, there are more of them, and it has become easier to care for the raspberry tree.
