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Failure to thrive raspberries #244476

Asked May 14, 2015, 11:59 PM EDT

A few years ago when we moved in we had a large and happy raspberry patch. After a few years it got overgrown and weedy so I thinned, weeded and spread hemlock bark to help keep the bark down. It has been two years and the bushes have either died or our barely holding on. I have even bought new plants, but they don't grow either. What can i do to revive my raspberry patch. I am attaching pictures of the sad plants. You may see in the background, along the fence my neighbor's very happy plants only a couple feet away.

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

I suspect it is your mulch because it appears to be right up to and surrounding the plants. I would also suggest a soil test to make sure your nutrient balance is appropriate. Attached is an article on proper mulching with bark. It is also possible you have a disease process but the plants in your photo that survived do not appear to be diseased. 

http://www.extension.uidaho.edu/nursery/Extension%20Publications/Using%20bark%20and%20Sawdust%20for%...
An Ask Extension Expert Replied May 15, 2015, 1:06 PM EDT

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