Getting rid of raspberry patch

I have a small raspberry patch that over the years has given me enough raspberries to sprinkle on ice cream, pancakes, and so forth buy not enough to gouge (sp) myself. It was covered in shade a good part of the day because of two trees. Last summer I had the trees removed, and thought that my patch would so a lot better since it receives sun all day now, but it is a lot worse. I wonder if over the years through self selection if the raspberry bushes that did better in the shade took over, and now that there is sun they cannot hang in there.I am thinking about replacing it with grasses, perennials or a combination. What is the best way to get rid of the patch. Dig it up and turn it over. Dig it, then remove the raspberry patches or just get a load of dirt and build a mound? Thanks

Tom

It sounds as if you would keep the raspberries if they produced enough fruit. If that is so, you can do it.

Since the patch has been ignored for some time it is likely that they have just grown too thickly to be healthy producers. You must thin them.

There are two types of raspberries, twice bearing and once bearing. I assume that you have the latter. If so, go into the patch and cut off all of the canes that produced this year. They are easy to identify as they will be purplish in color. The new shoots will be green. Leave the new ones but thin them to one every 6 inches or so.

Put them into rows by mowing between the rows. After this is all done you will be left with rows of new raspbery plants every 6 inches or so. They should produce a nice crop next year.

Good luck.

Now if you really want to be rid of them, say so. It will not be easy without chemical assistance as all of the brambles are very persistent.

John