Raspberries

Raspberries are one of the most aromatic soft fruits. Their fruits vary in color from dark red to pale yellow. There are two types of raspberries according to their fruiting period: summer-fruiting, which has a short period of heavy cropping in mid summer and the autumn-fruiting, which is cropping from late summer until the start of winter frosts. Fruits are produced on tall canes that need support, usually with posts and wires arranged as a fence. Fruits can be used fresh for deserts, cooked, jam or preserved by freezing.

Planting raspberries

Plants may be grown in rows post-and-wire or in small groups tied to a central post. They prefer a sheltered, sunny position in a rich in humus and moisture-retentive but well drained soil. Raspberries do not tolerate poor drainage, so any sandy, chalky and poor, stony soil will need an annual dressing with humus-rich materials and regular watering in order to be a proper soil for raspberries.

When planting new raspberries you have to prepare an area at least 90 cm wide and dig in plenty of well-rotted manure. Then you have to construct permanent supports of posts and wires. Plant the raspberries in autumn or early winter, while they are dormant, in the already prepared place, at around 40-45 cm apart each cane and at about 2 m between the rows. Prune the canes to 25 cm above the ground level. Mulch well in every spring to make sure the crop will reach its best and water regularly. As they flower too late to be damaged by frost there is no need for such protection.

Propagating raspberries

In order to propagate raspberries you need to select strong suckers that are growing away from the main fruiting row, lift and replant them in the new well prepared place in late autumn, while they are in their dormant period. Remove any remaining foliage and replant then water well.