Raspberries are normally started in the winter from dormant canes. In private gardens, these typically are planted about three feet apart in fertile, well drained soil. The soil is prepared beforehand by digging deeply and incorporating plenty of organic matter, such as compost.
In the first year, the removal of all flowers will allow the plant to build up reserves and to grow bigger. From the second year, the previous year's canes will flower in the spring and the fruit will ripen in the summer. The canes should be watered and fed well in the spring and summer, but by decreasing water and food in the autumn they can be hardened to survive the winter.
In the winter, old flowered canes should be pruned down to the ground level. Of the new canes, all small and weak ones should be removed, as well as those that are growing too close to each other, allowing 10-15 centimeters between canes. Most varieties will need to be staked.
Raspberries are very vigorous and can be a little invasive. They propagate using basal shoots (also known as suckers), which are extended underground shoots that develop roots and individual plants. They can sucker new canes some distance from the main plant. For this reason, raspberries spread well, and can take over gardens if left unchecked. Pushing a spade straight down at the boundary of the plant will sever the suckers, which can then be dug out when outside the boundary.