Growing soft fruit - Part 2: Raspberries

Growing Soft Fruit - Part 2: Raspberries

Summer fruiting raspberries produce their fruits in June, July and August, while autumn fruiting varieties produce crops from late August to October.

Summer raspberries produce fruit on last year's canes, so once all the fruit has been harvested – generally by the end of August – you can cut these canes right down to the ground. The following summer, the new growth will produce fruit.

When you cut the canes back, it's good practice to feed your raspberries too. If you have access to cow manure, then use this, but if not then there are plenty of organic feeds on the market.

If you want to plant any new plants, such as bare root canes, then transplant these into prepared ground in October or early November.

They will then grow a little before going into a period of winter dormancy. They may produce a few fruits the following year, but it will be the year after when they produce a full crop.

Remember that each flower is a potential fruit, so when the canes are in bloom, make sure you give them plenty of water, as this will help the fruit to set. This is why wet spring weather is so good for soft fruit.

Choosing Your Varieties

If you're planning on doing a lot of preserving, then think about the varieties you are buying. If you only grow one type of raspberry, you are probably going to end up with a huge glut, which you might not be able to process quickly enough.

If you choose a mixture of early, mid-season and autumn varieties though, you should have a good amount of fruit throughout the season. Generally, you'll get half a kilo of fruit off each cane. Also, they're great to grow if you only have a small space, as they have an upward growth pattern.

Netting

Netting your raspberry canes is crucial if you want to protect them from birds. Although it might seem like a nuisance, if you don't net them, you might lose your entire crop.

The ideal time to net your canes is just after the fruit has set, when the berries are still green. It's important to make sure your netting is completely sealed, so secure it with pegs and ties, otherwise birds will take advantage of any holes they find to steal your berries.

Preparing for Next Year

Once the canes have finished fruiting, you can remove the netting and store for next season.

In late September, check your canes for any dead, diseased or damaged growth. This growth can be removed and the canes can be thinned to ensure there is good air circulation among your plants.

Take this opportunity to weed under your plants too, as this will remove the habitat for slugs and snails. Finally, cover the roots with a good layer of mulch, such as well rotted cow manure or leaf mould.