The raspberry runners in the garden can become a real pest. It is best to lay out a root barrier immediately after planting. This can help stop the spread of raspberries.
How do you create a root barrier for raspberries?
To prevent uncontrolled spread of raspberries by runners, a 40 cm deep root barrier made of rhizome barrier film, pond liner or similar materials should be installed around the plant row. In addition, mulching between plants is recommended to ensure sufficient moisture and nutrients.
Why do raspberries form so many runners?
Some gardeners might think that the raspberries are trying to annoy him because they spread so quickly all over the garden.
However, the raspberry only sends so many runners in all directions so that it can find sufficient nutrients and, above all, moisture.
However, to prevent the spread of raspberries, it is not enough to provide enough moisture and nutrients. In addition to choosing modern raspberry varieties that produce fewer runners, creating a root barrier is the best solution.
Materials for root barriers
- Rhizome barrier film for bamboo
- Pond Liner
- Lawn edge stones
- Old plastic boards
- sheet metal pieces
- Old roof tiles
Create a root barrier
Raspberries have shallow roots, but you shouldn't put the root barrier too low in the ground. It should be 40 centimeters to keep the roots under control.
Put a 40 centimeter deep gap in the ground around the raspberry rows or raspberry hedges. The barrier should be placed as far around the rows as the future raspberry row will be.
Do not make the lock too tight. Then the plants no longer receive enough moisture and nutrients that they would otherwise get from the runners.
It is essential to mulch raspberry plants with root barriers
If you are using special film for bamboo or similar plants, follow the manufacturer's instructions.
Put all other materials 40 centimeters into the ground and about five centimeters above the ground into the gap. Press the soil firmly and slurry it in with a garden hose.
If there is a root barrier, be sure to place a layer of mulch between the plants. This ensures that the plants receive enough moisture and nutrients.
Tips & Tricks
Even if the raspberry plants have already spread across the entire garden, it is worthwhile to create a root barrier afterwards. However, make sure that you carefully and continually remove all roots outside the barrier. Only then can the perennials be kept under control to some extent.
