skip to main content

Fruit & Orchards

Root barrier for raspberries?

14 years ago

I have a large patch (10' diameter and growing quickly) and I need to create a root barrier to keep rhizomes from spreading. I know there are products specificially designed to stop roots/rhizomes but they are quite expensive. I was planning renting a trenching machine to create a narrow 24" trench around the grouping and, yes, I've already called the utility company for determining pipe locations. Has anyone used regular ole' landscape fabric (single or doubled up) to any effect? I was thinking that if I could adequately get the fabric down to this depth it would work well for what I'm trying to do. I don't want to run around using RoundUp on small shoots until the end of time. Definitely a tasty weed, but a weed nonetheless. Thoughts?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

ksgrower
14 years ago
Hi,
My husband just finished a 18" barrier all around for a 18'x3'patch. We use 1/8 thick of plastic sheets. I am not sure if the landscape fabric will hold for you after few years. My husband didn't use trenching machine. Now, he is complaining his shoulder hurt. See what we do for the hummy berries. I hope you get some inputs from other people.

ksgrower
mr.ed
14 years ago
You could rent a ditch witch and dig a retaining footingÂ..seems a bit extreme. Would it be cheaper to put in some edging? The stuff below is 4Âx1Â

http://www.lowes.com/pd_27876-304-8848_4294857252+4294961918_4294937087?catalogId=10051&productId=3142289&Ne=4294937087Â¤tURL=%2Fpl_Easy%2BGardener_4294857252+4294961918_4294937087_&N=4294857252+4294961918&identifier=Easy+Gardener&langId=-1&storeId=10151&ddkey=http:CategoryDisplay

At $6 per 4ÂÂfigure three per side, times four sides. $72 plus tax. Might be cheaper than a $40 dollar tool rental plus what ever material you are using to retain them.

But I am cheap and have kids "hey, go bury that railroad tie next to the raspberries." ( joking )
Related Discussions
Raspberry Runner Barrier Depth?
Q
Comments (1)
Regular severing 2 feet or even slightly less from the main row will not hurt.
...See More
Root barrier for raspberries in raised bed zone 9B?
Q
Comments (1)
1) Only concrete or cinder blocks/bricks contain my raspberries, otherwise they spread freely. You might be able to get by sealing just the 12 inches closest to the fenceline, while leaving a gap for drainage and deeper root penetration, but not 100% sure. Berries and redwoods have to be some of the toughest root situations around, not certain I'd trust only rocky soil or wood as a barrier to them. You never want to damage the neighboring redwood tree roots or leave them exposed to sunlight too long during digging in any case -- you can accidentally trigger them into sprouting on your side of the property! 2) Yes. 3) Box stores and some nurseries have them right now.
...See More
Will root barriers keep neighboring poplar roots out of my life?
Q
Comments (1)
I have no direct experience with DeepRoot (which seems to be a physical barrier only system) but do with Biobarrier. The latter combines a physical barrier with a root inhibiting chemical release system. Biobarrier does work, but the installation has to be precise and - this would be true of DeepRoot as well - involves a great deal of digging. It's not clear from the post if the barrier has to be 60 feet long or 14 feet long plus some extra to go around the corners, but in either case it's back breaking labor unless there is access for a machine excavator. I believe Biobarrier is 3 or 4 feet wide, so that's about the depth you'd need for that product. How long either system would protect your yard from the roots of mature trees, especially a highly invasive species like poplar, is an open question. Only you can decide if it's worth doing or if containers would be a better option.
...See More
[HAVE] Heirloom Red Raspberry Rooted Divisions [WANT] Any Rooted Fruit
Q
Comments (0)
I have several red raspberry canes divided from my Great-Grandmother's garden. I am looking for any rooted canes/divisions of any fruit or berries you enjoy and would do well in Zone 7a.
...See More
lsoh
14 years ago
You might consider Aluminum Flashing sold in rolls for roofing. Flashing might be more difficult to install than the edging suggested above. It's only been a year so it's too soon to tell, but I used roof flashing to corral my raspberries. So far, no escapees. But I used 20" flashing. That's deeper than the edging suggested above. I hand dug down roughly 19" to install the flashing.
For price comparison, 14"x50' at Home Depot costs $33. 20"x50' costs $39

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE Roots of Style: Ranch Architecture Roams Across the U.S.

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Great remodeling potential and generously spaced sites make ranch homes ever popular. Is one of the many variations right for you?

REMODELING GUIDES Regional Modern: Metro New York Shows Its Modernist Roots

10 contemporary homes outside Manhattan: Clean lines, rooted in place

MODERN HOMES Houzz Tour: A Modern Home Rooted in Its Place

It's partially buried in the earth, but with a cantilevered roof and strong colors, this Ottawa home is anything but shy

LANDSCAPE DESIGN 8 Modern-Day Moats That Float Our Boats

See how a simple water barrier with ancient roots can make for an eye-catching contemporary garden feature

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener's August Checklist

By Genevieve Schmidt

Deadheading perennials, cutting raspberry canes and preparing for the onion harvest keeps Northwest gardeners busy in August

ROOTS OF STYLE Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts: What’s the Difference?

By Laura Gaskill

If the zigzag and swirly designs of the past leave your head spinning, these descriptions will straighten you right out

LANDSCAPE DESIGN House, Meet Landscape: How Integrated Gardens Came to Be

Trace the roots of union between home and the great wild to get ideas for merging the two on your own homesite

COLOR Time to Step Out of Your Color Comfort Zone?

By Laura Gaskill

If you always seem to pick warm tones, or you stick to the cool ones, bucking your natural inclination could bring new energy to a room

FARM YOUR YARD An Urban Greenhouse Overflows With Edibles

By Annie Thornton

Making meals just means stepping into the yard for a San Francisco couple who revamped an old orchid house

BENEFICIAL INSECTS Attract Pollinators for a Productive Edible Garden

By Abundant City

You can lure bees, butterflies and birds into your yard with the right flowers and nesting spots

Sponsored

More Discussions

Identify an olive tree that is nit flowering after more than 15 years.

8

Advice on planting blueberry plant

9

Peach tree dead buds

2

No flowers on my apricot tree?

6

Beginner apple tree initial care

0