I have begun the propagation of a few new black raspberry plants. This is a project that I’m starting earlier this year than I have in the past. There is substantial growth to work with this year, which allows for the earlier start.

I was working with the black raspberries because they are of the trailing variety. This means that as they grow they trail back down toward the ground. ( Think of a fountain in shape ) This is usually a project I do in the fall. It is usually then I have the necessary growth to work with.

I began by filling a few recycled pots about half full with a compost mix. I then collected all the trailing limbs and put them in the pots. More than one can be put in a pot. Once the tips of the limbs are in the pots, they can be covered with additional compost mix.

That’s all there is to do other than keeping the soil mix in the pots moist. After a few weeks have passed I’ll check for root growth on the limb tips in the soil. Once a substantial amount of roots have grown the limbs can be cut free. The new plants can then be separated and taken out of the pots and given a permanent home.

Usually I do this later in the year and just bury the tips in the ground. With this earlier start the plants can be set out in the fall or just mulched in and be waiting for me in the spring.

I’ll see you in the backyard!