Most berries need to spread out and don't do well if confined. Spread leaves on them in the fall, that's the only fertalizer they need. Blackberries and raspberries are different. fruit is produced on 1st and 2nd year canes for some. Blackberries tip-root and healthy canes shouldn't be cut, but raspberries do best when cut back some in the fall. I recommend 'everberring' varieties. Cut out any dead or diseased canes at ground level. They also don't do well if they grow too thick, so they may need thinned a bit. Don't pick the 1st year, pull off flowers so the plants put more energy into developing a strong root system. They need well drained soil, plant them on higher grownd, they'll get root rot very easily. Not by the cattails/slough like I made the mistake of doing. I recommend The Backyard Berry Book. It explains everything very well. You can find it at the public library. I hope it goes great. My girls hop off the school bus in Sept, grab their buckets and run to the raspberries, the best snack ever!!
