Raspberries and replacing lawn with native plants - Ask Extension
1. I know raspberries are disease prone. I am considering creating a raspberry patch next to my 4x4 foot vegetable garden. Would that be worrisome for...
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Raspberries and replacing lawn with native plants #779916
Asked January 08, 2022, 12:04 AM EST
1. I know raspberries are disease prone. I am considering creating a raspberry patch next to my 4x4 foot vegetable garden. Would that be worrisome for the health of my vegetables? How likely would it be that any type of pest could migrate from the raspberry bushes to my vegetable garden if they were planted 2-3 feet away?
2. Do you have resources on converting a grass lawn to a more eco-friendly landscape? I am tired of taking care of my grass and would like to replace it with native plants. I would like to do as much of this myself as possible.
Boulder County Colorado
Expert Response
Dear Elizabeth,
We apologize for the delayed response, there was an issue with the statewide "Ask Extension" service which has now been fixed.
Let's start with raspberries. Please see CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.001 Raspberries for the Home Garden (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/raspberries-for-the-home-garden-7-001/). Penn State Extension Raspberry Planting and Care for Home Gardeners (https://extension.psu.edu/raspberry-planting-and-care-for-home-gardeners) specifically states to "avoid planting in locations where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant or strawberries were planted within the last five years, as these may harbor fungal diseases that can infect and kill your raspberries' roots". So avoid planting over where these fruits/vegetables have been.
Now onto converting your grass lawn -- we have many resources for you on this topic! You'll likely want to peruse through it all, develop an overall plan, and decide what you feel you can take on yourself vs. hiring someone to do.
Once you've developed a plan you'll first remove the turf. Follow steps 1-6 under "How to Renovate a Lawn" section of CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.241 Renovating the Home Lawn (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/renovating-the-home-lawn-7-241/).
Here are resources that can help you determine what native plants to consider and also waterwise plant choices:
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.234 Xeriscaping: Retrofit Your Yard (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-retrofit-your-yard-7-234/)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.228 Xeriscaping: Creative Landscaping (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/). Note the links at the end of fact sheet 7.228 that refer to other waterwise plant selection fact sheets such as trees and shrubs, ground cover plants, and garden flowers.
Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills (https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRange.pdf)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.242 Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/)
CMG GardenNotes #581 Native Grasses for Use in Colorado Landscapes (https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/581.pdf)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.232 Ornamental Grasses (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/)
Good luck with your projects,
Boulder County Colorado Master Gardeners
CSU Extension
We apologize for the delayed response, there was an issue with the statewide "Ask Extension" service which has now been fixed.
Let's start with raspberries. Please see CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.001 Raspberries for the Home Garden (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/raspberries-for-the-home-garden-7-001/). Penn State Extension Raspberry Planting and Care for Home Gardeners (https://extension.psu.edu/raspberry-planting-and-care-for-home-gardeners) specifically states to "avoid planting in locations where tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant or strawberries were planted within the last five years, as these may harbor fungal diseases that can infect and kill your raspberries' roots". So avoid planting over where these fruits/vegetables have been.
Now onto converting your grass lawn -- we have many resources for you on this topic! You'll likely want to peruse through it all, develop an overall plan, and decide what you feel you can take on yourself vs. hiring someone to do.
Once you've developed a plan you'll first remove the turf. Follow steps 1-6 under "How to Renovate a Lawn" section of CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.241 Renovating the Home Lawn (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/renovating-the-home-lawn-7-241/).
Here are resources that can help you determine what native plants to consider and also waterwise plant choices:
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.234 Xeriscaping: Retrofit Your Yard (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-retrofit-your-yard-7-234/)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.228 Xeriscaping: Creative Landscaping (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-creative-landscaping-7-228/). Note the links at the end of fact sheet 7.228 that refer to other waterwise plant selection fact sheets such as trees and shrubs, ground cover plants, and garden flowers.
Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens: Front Range & Foothills (https://extension.colostate.edu/docs/pubs/native/FrontRange.pdf)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.242 Native Herbaceous Perennials for Colorado Landscapes (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/native-herbaceous-perennials-for-colorado-landscapes-7-242/)
CMG GardenNotes #581 Native Grasses for Use in Colorado Landscapes (https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/Gardennotes/581.pdf)
CSU Extension Fact Sheet 7.232 Ornamental Grasses (https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/ornamental-grasses-7-232/)
Good luck with your projects,
Boulder County Colorado Master Gardeners
CSU Extension
Thank you so much!
