If you live in Texas, you already know that it can get a little hot outside, particularly summer.
Many of us are rasperry lovers and enjoy sweet tart taste, however, raspberries grow best in a moderate temperature between 70-75 degrees F.
The average summer temperature in Texas is often over 100 degrees F!
That doesn’t mean we cannot grow raspberries in Texas.
With the right care of the plants along with the information in this guide, your raspberries will flourish.
It is also extremely important to have the proper type of raspberries that will do well in Texas.
Choosing The Right Cultivar
You’ll want to take a few moments to think about which the best variety of raspberry to grow at home in Texas.
Texas is such a big state, with many areas having different climates than others.
There are many different growing zones all across the state so it pays to do your own research about which variety would work best for you. This would be one of the best ways to make sure you will be successful.
According to the Council on Aging, the most commonly grown raspberry in Texas is the Dorman Red.
It does well here, but needs a lot of TLC to really perform.
When the fruit comes, it will be large, firm, and very sweet, which is another reason why a lot of people like it.
The pH is best between 6, which is the sweet spot, but can still range as low as 5. The Dorman Red grows in growing zone 4-8, but I have heard of some individuals in Houston seeing success in zone 9 when the area is prepared.
According to Mississippi State University, the Dorman Red is ideal for Texas gardens as it is both drought and disease resistant, as well as able to handle heat.
Other Raspberry Varieties
However, there are other cultivars that are suitable for Texas, but there are some limitations depending on your state.
For instance, the Oregon 1030 produces berries well in zones 6 to 8, as does the Southern Bababerry.
With that said, you will probably need to monitor these cultivars a little more carefully and make sure that they are shaded in the afternoon….but more on light conditions later.
You may also be able to grow some relatively new cultivars, such as Summer raspberries, in particular growing regions of Texas, again in zones 6 to 8.
And once again, by taking good care of your plants and creating the environment they prefer, your chances of success go higher.
Lastly – if you want super sweet raspberries that are easy to grow in Texas, then an excellent choice is the Caroline cultivar.
These raspberries are typically grown in zones 5-9, and are common in locations such as Florida.
They thrive in the southern parts of Texas and do well when given heat and humidity. You will want to pay close attention to soil type as it is very different in Texas than in Florida.
What’s The Best Time To Plant Raspberries In Texas?
As well as selecting the best type of raspberry plants to grow, you need to ensure that they are planted at the optimal time.
You’ll find that nurseries carry raspberries plants twice a year, with two different options available.
You can buy potted canes as they are usually available throughout fall and winter.
You can also buy bare root bushes and these will typically come into nurseries in the spring. Regardless of which one you buy, whatever type you choose, you’ll need to be sure to plant at the time of purchase.
Again you need to bear in mind what part of Texas you live in, as the climate will make a difference with your choice.
If you live in the central part of Texas, then fall planting is probably best.
This is due less heat in the fall and winter and the plants will be all right, as it will definitely be milder.
If you do choose spring then over the summer will need to be strict and consistent.
Should I Grow The Raspberries From Seed?
While it is certainly possible to propagate raspberries from seed, I think it’s important you’re aware it’ll take a lot more time and patience.
Seedlings will not provide you any fruit for at least 18 months after warming as well!
If you’re planning on doing it, make sure to utilize seed starting cells and start right before winter.
During the cooler season, just leave those cells outdoors (or indoor without heating) what ever doesn’t get covered by the snow. Make sure to water the seedlings and provide them plenty of light!
Getting The Soil Conditions Right
A significant challenge of growing raspberries in Texas is that the soil is not too good for these plants.
In many places there is a lot of hard clay which does not help raspberries grow.
However, this does not mean it is impossible. This is where that extra care we were talking about comes into play.
It will be necessary to amend the soil and assure the best possible for the raspberry bushes. It is ideal to have soil that is moist, but well drained.
The good news is amending the soil is not that big of a deal. One of the best recommendations is to grow your raspberries in a raised bed.
Works Well – If you do not want to or do not have the option to grow in the raised bed, then you might consider mixing in good quality organic compost along with some mulch into the existing native soil.
Ideally putting 2-3 inches of mulch will keep the soil from drying.
It is also a good idea to have the pH of the soil tested.
Raspberries like the pH of around 6.0. If your pH is outside of this, you can increase the acidity of the native soil by adding elemental sulfur or pine needles.
How To Plant Raspberries In Texas
Now that you have your soil ready to go, it is time to plant your raspberry bushes.
How you go about planting will depend on whether you are planting a potted plant or a bare root plant.
There isn’t much difference between the two.
With both types of plant you will need to:
- Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball.
- Make sure the roots won’t coil when you place the plant in the hole, then backfill with native soil to the root ball.
- Once the plant has been comfortably placed in the hole, give the plant a good watering to help establish the roots.
The only difference in planting a bare root or a potted plant is that your bare root plant will need to have the root ball soaked in a bucket of water for at least three hours before putting it in the hole.
This is done to make sure the roots are hydrated before putting them in the soil. It is the step you do not want to skip.
Support For Raspberry Bushes
When it comes to raspberry plants, one thing is certain – they can grow in unexpected ways!
So having some sort of support available is a good thing, even if it’s just a cane to help stabilize the plant.
You can also buy a raspberry trellis kit on the internet or at your local plant nursery.
These trellis kits are very easy to assemble, and they help you stabilize your raspberry plant. Of course, if you are looking for a kick project to do in 15 minutes or so, it is just as simple to support the plants with drip tape or some similar material!
The Best Light Conditions For Raspberries In Texas
You should consider what light conditions will maximize the growth and production of your raspberry bushes.
That being said, the afternoon sun can be notoriously brutal in Texas, which is why I believe many experts still recommend raspberries in part shade in the afternoon to minimize heat stress.
However, there are also many varieties of raspberry that prefer more sunlight overall, and it will vary based on your specific growing climate and where your bush may be located.
Raspberries can be sunburned, but raspberries do generally require six to eight hours of sunlight daily, which can be split up with a break in between.
Watering Your Raspberry Plants
As noted, Dorman Red is one of the best raspberry varieties to grow in Texas.
Once established, raspberry bushes will hold up well in the heat and drought. That being said, you can’t neglect its water requirements.
When you first plant the bush, you’ll want to be sure to get it watered at least once a year during that first year.
If there is even the slightest chance your plant will get scorched during the heat in the summer, you’ll need to water more frequently to keep it hydrated.
After that, Dorman Red, in particular, will take care of its own water requirements. That’s assuming there isn’t a significant drought, when you’ll need to follow up with watering your plant.
Feeding Your Raspberry Bushes
Watering your raspberry bushes is key, but feeding is equally important.
If you’re looking to save time, we recommend using an organic fertilizer, however, if you don’t mind a little more work, you may not need to feed them at all.
By Adding Compost – you greatly reduce the need to fertilize the raspberries.
Because good healthy soil has plenty of nutrients to feed the plant without having to worry about feeding it.
Do I Need To Prune My Raspberry Plants?
If you are cultivating raspberry bushes, you should expect to announce them occasionally.
This is primarily to remove any diseased or dead canes. The frequency of your trimmings will depend upon the raspberry variety you’re working with.
Regular pruning will keep the plant growing healthy in any situation.
If you do not prune your raspberry plants you will be able to see tangled canes and a bush that is overgrown.
It is good practice to keep the smaller and weaker parts of the plant cut back, but we would recommend cutting off approximately 3 inches at the top of the bush if growing much taller than 30 inches.
Harvesting Your Raspberries
Now the fun part… harvesting your raspberries.
These fruits are rich not only in flavor but also goodness and are very adaptable.
The plants will flower in early spring but you will need to wait another two or three weeks after that before you have any fruit to show.
You’ll know the berries are ready when they can be picked easily from the stem. If you have to tug on them, then just hold out a little longer.
Conclusion
The climate in Texas is hot and not favorable for growing all types of plants.
Raspberries grow better in cooler temperatures, so you may feel like you can’t grow them in Texas, but that is not true.
There are varieties that grow very well in Texas. If you grow those varieties and provide the right cultural practices, you will have a spring harvest of beautiful sweet raspberries.