Raspberries
Sweet, juicy berries that are a joy to pick straight from the cane. Available in summer-fruiting (floricane) and autumn-fruiting (primocane) varieties, offering a long harvest season.
Raspberries (5 canes)
£9.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Rarely grown from seed; buy canes or suckers
Plant out
November – March (dormant canes), March – May (container-grown)
Harvest
June – October, depending on variety
Conditions
Sun
Full sun, 6-8 hours a day
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during fruiting. Avoid waterlogging.
Soil
Rich, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0–6.7)
Spacing
45-60cm (18-24 inches) between canes, 1.8m (6ft) between rows
Containers
Possible in very large pots (min 45cm / 18 inch diameter), but yield will be limited
Indoors
Not suitable for indoor growing
Care and harvest
Feeding
Early spring, apply a balanced granular fertiliser or well-rotted compost around the base
Pruning
Summer-fruiting: Cut canes that have fruited to the ground after harvest. Autumn-fruiting: Cut all canes to ground level in late winter.
Harvesting
Pick when the berry easily detaches from its core. Best picked in the morning after dew has dried.
Storage
Refrigerate for 2-3 days, or freeze immediately for longer storage. Do not wash before storing.
Good companions: Garlic, Onions, Legumes, Marigolds