raspberries « TopVeg – growing veg,fruit&herbs

July 31, 2010

How to Pick Raspberries

Filed under: fruit — Tags: harvest, pick, raspberries, raspberry — TopVeg @ 4:40 am

Raspberries are picked by pulling them gently off the stalk so that the white hull is left behind, attached to the stalk. The raspberries will come off easily when ripe. If they do not leave the stalk easily they are not ready to be picked.

glen ample

Method of Picking Raspberries:

gently hold the raspberry between finger and thumb
pull gently away from the stem
the raspberry should come off the stem, leaving the centre hull behind
place the raspberry gently into a container

The following two photos show before & after picking. ‘Before’ has the raspberry on the stem; ‘after’ shows the whitish hull left on the stalk, after the raspberry has been picked.

rasp-before-picking

raspberry-hull

It is important to handle the raspberries very gently, so that they remain fresh and nutritious after picking.

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March 14, 2009

Planting Raspberry Canes in the Garden.

Filed under: fruit — Tags: raspberries, raspberry, Tulameen — TopVeg @ 6:37 pm

Raspberries are best grown from bare root canes in the autumn. Always
buy virus-free stock.

Most soils are suitable for raspberries, but the best soil is:

    * slightly acid
    * not too heavy
    * rich in organic matter
    * well drained

The site for the raspberry canes should be:

* sheltered from high winds
* in full sun, but partial shade is acceptable

raspberry supports

Raspberries need stout support, which should be in place before planting
begins.

To prepare the planting site for raspberries:

    * remove all weeds
    * dig a row 30cm (1ft) deep by 0.5m (1.5ft) wide, month before planting
    * work in as much well rotted compost or Farm Yard Manure as
      possible( a bucket full every yard)
    * firm the row down before planting.
    * where more than one row is being planted, allow 1.7m (5ft) between
      rows in order to let the roots spread freely and give room for you
      to harvest the crop in summer.

To Plant Raspberry Canes:

    * the old soil mark on the stem should be at the same level as the
      ground after planting.
    * dig a shallow hole, about 30cm (1ft) wide and 8cm (3in) deep.
      Spread out the roots and cover with soil, firming as you go.
    * plant canes 40cm (16in) apart.
    * cut canes down to 30cm (1ft) above the soil, pruning above a bud.
    * water well.
    * keep the site weed free

After planting, in the spring:

    * when new growth appears from the ground, cut the old cane back to
      ground level.
    * tie in the new stems to the supporting wires as they grow.
    * scatter general purpose granular fertiliser over the soil and
      mulch with well-rotted farmyard manure.
    * keep plants damp.

tulameen-raspberry-row

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August 5, 2008

TopVeg visits Gardeners’ Question Time

Filed under: diary — Tags: raspberries, raspberry — TopVeg @ 9:52 pm

raspberry-Tulameen

TopVeg visit to Gardeners’ Question Time in Hessle was broadcast in 4 August 2008.

Helen Smith represented TopVeg and asked a leading question about our raspberries:

‘Our raspberries are not doing well, on our heavy wet soil. Should we try to improve the soil, or start using growing bags?’

Magnesium-deficiency-in-ras

Matthew Biggs diagnosed a magnesium deficiency from the yellowing leaves between the veins.

green-raspberry-leaf

yellowy-raspberry-leaf

He said ‘the answer lies in the soil’, but we are already mulching &
feeding as he suggested. We were treating the magnesium deficiency by
watering in Epsom salts.

Although Matthew did not advise using growing bags, we still fee they are the answer. Commercial growers of raspberries in Scotland use growing bags, so we are going to have a go. Then we will see if the TopVeg visit to Gardeners Question Time can lead to an improved
production method.

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September 3, 2007

Prune Raspberry Canes in the Garden.

Filed under: fruit — Tags: cane, prune, pruning, raspberries, raspberry — TopVeg @ 9:03 am

When the raspberry harvest has come to an end in the garden, prune out
the old flowering canes at soil level. The new shoots that have grown
this year will bear next year’s fruit. Removing the old canes from the
raspberry row will prevent the carry over of diseases, and give the new
canes light and space.

* Select the old canes which had fruit this year and cut them out at
soil level.

* Choose the two strongest and healthiest new canes on each root to
keep in the row. Cut away the weaker canes at soil level.

raspberry-shoots

    * Leave only 3 to 4 young raspberry canes per foot of row.
    * Tie the new raspberry canes to the supports, using a twisting
      knot, so that the canes do not rub against the support.

raspberry-knot

    * The raspberry canes are quite pliable at this time of the year and
      can be bent and moved into position. The canes become brittle in
      the spring and snap easily, so it is important to train them into
      position now.

Pruning the raspberry canes as soon as the fruiting season ends, will
encourage a good crop of raspberries in the garden next year.

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