How to get the best from raspberries

How to get the best from raspberries

Raspberries are one of the most popular soft fruits and perhaps the easiest to grow. They are usually planted as bare root canes (basically sticks with roots) anytime from late autumn through to mid spring. The best thing about them is the fact you don‘t have to wait long for results: you should be picking delicious fruit from your plants in the first year after planting. What is more, they do not need to take up too much room and can fit into the smallest of gardens.

Where to grow raspberries

Traditionally raspberries are grown in rows, with posts and wires for support.  Some will recommend planting in full sun, however they are originally woodland plants, so will grow happily in dappled shade. They thrive on most well-drained soils, especially neutral to acid ones. On shallow, dry or chalky soils it is very important to add plenty of well-rotted manure or good garden compost to the ground before planting. In small spaces many varieties can be grown in containers using ericaceous compost. Check the varieties available at your local garden centre, or online for the best ones for pots.  

If you have plenty of room, and a semi-shaded spot raspberries can be left to grow naturally without support. This makes them more difficult to pick, but reduces the maintenance required.  An autumn fruiting variety, such as the ever popular ‘Autumn Bliss’ is perfect to grow in this way. A slow release, high potash fertiliser applied annually at the beginning of each growing season produces best results; Vitax Q4 is ideal. 

Raspberries for different seasons

Summer fruiting raspberries, in other words those that are harvested in the main season, fruit on canes that grew the previous season. The old canes that fruited are cut down to the base of the plants, leaving the new ones to fruit this year. Obviously of you are planting new canes that have been cut back cropping will be less in the first year, but you should still get some fruit.

Autumn fruiting raspberries, those that fruit for several weeks through late summer into autumn, fruit on canes that grow the same year. These are cut right back to ground level in winter, so there is nothing there in early spring, until those new shoots emerge.  Plant new canes in autumn and you will definitely be picking the following autumn. These are the easiest to grow and most successful if you are not a dedicated fruit grower.

Planting raspberries

Raspberry canes are usually sold in bundles of five or ten, sometimes potted to keep them in good condition for sales. It is important to separate the canes and plant individually, otherwise they will be too crowded. If the roots are dry, soak in a bucket of water before planting.

Plant individually 45-60cm (18 – 24”) apart in well-prepared ground that is free of weeds. Dig a hole for each cane that is wide enough and deep enough to spread the roots. Sprinkle a small handful of Vitax Q4+ into the soil you will use to backfill around the roots, planting firmly so that the base of each cane is a little below ground level. New shoots will emerge from beneath the soil. Vitax Q4+ is a balanced slow release fertiliser with trace elements, essential for healthy growth. It also contains mycorrhizal fungi which grow in association with the roots to aid establishment and ensure the best possible growth from the first season.

Whatever the conditions when you plant it is important to water your new raspberry canes thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots. Watering is also important during the first growing season until the plants are well established.

Andy McIndoe for Vitax