Separation needed for boysenberries from red raspberries? - Ask Extension
Some gardening guides recommend separating black raspberries from red raspberries by 100 feet or more in order to prevent spread of diseases. This i...
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Separation needed for boysenberries from red raspberries? #925816
Asked March 10, 2026, 10:03 PM EDT
Some gardening guides recommend separating black raspberries from red raspberries by 100 feet or more in order to prevent spread of diseases. This is difficult in the average sized back yard! Is such separation needed for black raspberry hybrids, such as marionberries or boysenberries, if these are grown in the same yard as red raspberries (Latham, Boyne, Kilarney)? I notice black and red raspberries growing fairly close to one another in the Marion County Master Gardeners Demonstration Garden...
Marion County Oregon
Expert Response
Dear Gardener,
Thanks for contacting us about disease prevention in your berry crops. Diseases can be transmitted between these crops through the roots and soil, but also by pollen from plants infected with certain diseases. Berries share a number of diseases with non-berry crops also, so it is difficult to fix a distance of separation.
Your best practice to prevent disease and disease spread by planting only certified, disease-free, or resistant cultivars; maintain well-drained, raised beds; removing debris and old canes after harvest; and controlling wild berries near your garden.
Many home gardeners do plant berries in close proximity out of necessity. However, if space is available, it is preferable to plant them in beds or blocks that segregate them and prevent diseases from being transmitting by the travelling roots.
These two publications provide details about berry care and preventing disease:
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again any time you have questions.
Thanks for contacting us about disease prevention in your berry crops. Diseases can be transmitted between these crops through the roots and soil, but also by pollen from plants infected with certain diseases. Berries share a number of diseases with non-berry crops also, so it is difficult to fix a distance of separation.
Your best practice to prevent disease and disease spread by planting only certified, disease-free, or resistant cultivars; maintain well-drained, raised beds; removing debris and old canes after harvest; and controlling wild berries near your garden.
Many home gardeners do plant berries in close proximity out of necessity. However, if space is available, it is preferable to plant them in beds or blocks that segregate them and prevent diseases from being transmitting by the travelling roots.
These two publications provide details about berry care and preventing disease:
- https://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/ec-1306-growing-raspberries-your-home-garden
- https://pnwhandbooks.org/plantdisease/host-disease/raspberry-rubus-spp-viruses
I hope this information is helpful. Please write again any time you have questions.
