Raspberries are a nutritious fruits containing vitamins A and C and a natural substance called ellagic acid. This substance is an anti-carcinogenic compound.
Soil Preparation
Raspberry is a very popular fruit and grows well in areas with cool summers and mild winters. The soil should be well prepared before planting. Prepare the planting area by removing weeds. Dig in lots of well-rotted manure several weeks prior to planting. Raspberries need open sunny location on slightly acidic and well-drained soil. Shun soils that and alkaline and salty as this can cause yellow leaves and poor growth. If rows are properly maintained, cropping will extend up to ten years.
Sowing:
Seeds are best sown in a cold frame during early autumn. Seeds that are stored must be placed in layers/ for a month about 3ᵒC. Sow raspberry seeds as early as possible in the year. Remove seedlings when they are big enough to be removed and grow in a cold frame. Late spring of the following year is the best time to transplant them in their permanent site.
Providing supports
- Raspberries grow best when they are given support. For large gardens, insert two 8 feet (2.4m) stakes firmly into the ground 2 feet (60cm) deep and approximately 10 feet (3m) apart.
- For summer varieties, you need to drill holes into the stakes. Use galvanized wires to stretch between both stakes at 30 inches (76cm) 42 inches (106cm) and 66 inches (167cm) above the ground. Use straining bolts to hold them in place, a spanner can be used to tighten them.
- Autumn varieties will not need the top wire.
- Use a single stake for small gardens. Insert a thick 8 feet (2.4m) stake firmly into the soil. Plant two raspberry canes at the base. Let 12 canes grow up and use a garden twine to hold them in place.
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Planting
- Since the depth for raspberries is important, you should therefore follow the rule of thumb, which says that the old soil mark on the stem should be at the same level as the earth after planting. This is done by digging a shallow hole, about 1 foot (30cm) wide and 3 inches (8cm) deep.
- Place plant in the soil and spread the roots out. Cover with soil and firm as you go. Canes should be planted 16 inches (40cm) apart. Cut the canes to 1 foot (30cm) above the soil, prune above a bud, and water thoroughly.
Pests and Diseases
Raspberry plants attract pests such as raspberry cane borer, red-neck cane borer, raspberry fruit worm, and Japanese beetle. The known diseases which affect the plants are cane blight, Mosaic virus, spur blight, anthracnose, orange rust, crown or cane gall and verticillium wilt.
Pruning and training
- Canes that had fruit in summer should be pruned during the autumn. Cut them right back to the ground. After tying eight of the strongest new canes from each plant, to fruit next year, remove the rest.
- Canes with lanky tops should be cut back in mid-winter.Cut back so that they’re 6 in (15cm) above the top wire.
- For autumn fruiting varieties, prune in mid-winter. Cut old canes back to ground level. Use garden twine to tie in new stems to the supporting wires as they grow.
Care of crop
- Raspberries need fertilizer and lots of water. Throw general purpose granular fertilizer over the soil in. Mulch with well-rotted farmyard manure.
- Mulch is not needed where the soil retains moisture as this can lead to phytophthoria root rot and verticillium wilt in raspberry plants.
- Keep plants moist during dry weather.
- Keep plants free of weed, insect pests and diseases.
- After the initial year of planting, your raspberry plants will require fertilizer twice yearly; during spring before March growth, and in June.
Harvesting
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As fruits ripen, pick them when firm as often as possible. The fruits leave the stem easily when they are ready for harvesting.
Guest post By: Lucas Barnes.
For more growing tips and gardening advice from Lucas visit: www.plantdex.com