Fertiliser for Raspberries: How to Grow, Feed & Care for Raspberry Canes in Australia

Raspberries are one of the most rewarding fruits you can grow at home—offering sweet, tangy berries and a long picking season. But they’re also nutrient-hungry, and require specific care, soil preparation, and fertiliser to thrive in Australian gardens.

Whether you’re planting in pots or in rows, this guide will help you understand how to grow, feed, prune, and maintain healthy raspberry canes in all climates.

Raspberry Growing Basics

Raspberries (*Rubus idaeus*) grow on upright or trailing canes and produce fruit on either first-year (primocane) or second-year (floricane) wood depending on the variety. They prefer **cool to temperate climates**, though some varieties can grow in subtropical regions like Queensland with proper care.

Best Conditions for Raspberries:

Climate: Prefer cooler zones but can be grown in parts of QLD with partial shade and summer mulch
Soil: Deep, well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5–6.5. Enrich with compost and avoid clay or waterlogged areas
Spacing: Plant canes 50 cm apart in rows at least 1.2 m apart. Provide support with a trellis or wires
Water: Consistent moisture is key—especially during fruiting. Avoid dry spells and keep mulch in place

Can You Grow Raspberries in Pots?

Yes. Choose dwarf or compact raspberry varieties and plant in a **large pot (40–50 cm wide)** using premium potting mix. Keep well-watered and feed regularly during spring and summer. Use a bamboo stake or tomato cage to support upright growth.

What is the Best Fertiliser for Raspberries?

Raspberries are **heavy feeders**, especially while forming canes, flowers, and fruit. To maximise berry yield, they need consistent feeding with a complete fertiliser that supports cane development, root strength, and fruiting.

Raspberry Fertiliser Needs:

Moderate nitrogen (N): Promotes strong cane growth without overstimulating soft leaves
Higher phosphorus (P): Supports root health and flower production
High potassium (K): Essential for fruit formation, flavour, and disease resistance
Calcium & magnesium: Prevent cane weakness and yellowing in high-yield varieties

Top Complete Grow Products for Raspberries:

NPK 20-20-20 Liquid Fertiliser – Excellent for early growth and cane establishment in spring. Use fortnightly from bud break to mid-season.
NPK 4-18-38 + Cal-Mag – Best for flowering and fruiting stages. High potassium improves berry size and sweetness while reducing leaf stress.

Fertilising Schedule:

Early spring: Apply NPK 20-20-20 at 4 mL per litre of water every 2 weeks
Mid to late spring: Switch to NPK 4-18-38 to encourage flowering and fruit set
Summer: Maintain fortnightly feeding with high potassium. Stop feeding 3–4 weeks before expected final harvest
Autumn: Reduce to one final light feed before plants begin dormancy

How to Care for Raspberry Canes: Pruning, Training & Common Problems

Pruning Raspberries in Australia

Pruning depends on the type of raspberry you’re growing:

Summer-bearing (floricane): Cut back fruiting canes to ground level after harvest. Leave new green canes for next year’s crop.
Autumn-bearing (primocane): Can be cut entirely to ground in winter or selectively pruned to keep early and late crops.

Train canes along wires or bamboo poles to prevent them from sprawling. Regular pruning improves airflow, reduces disease, and encourages better yields.

Common Raspberry Issues:

Yellow leaves: May indicate magnesium or nitrogen deficiency. Apply a Cal-Mag foliar spray.
Poor fruit set: Ensure consistent watering and increase potassium via NPK 4-18-38.
Thin or weak canes: Caused by low soil nutrients or overcrowding. Space plants properly and feed regularly.

End-of-Season Care:

Remove dead or spent canes to prevent pest overwintering
Mulch heavily in autumn to protect roots and retain soil structure
Clean tools after pruning to prevent viral spread

With regular feeding, seasonal pruning, and moisture management, raspberries will produce abundant, delicious fruit for years to come—whether you’re growing in the backyard or on a balcony in QLD.