Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: missmoneypenny on December 14, 2019, 14:51

Title: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: missmoneypenny on December 14, 2019, 14:51

They are bare rooted and the canes are about 60cm high. Should I cut them down now to about 20cm? It’s quite windy here ( London). I have staked them in the time being. Thanks for any advice.

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: mumofstig on December 14, 2019, 15:05

I don't prune them after planting, I just leave them to get on with it for their first year. Next winter, and every year after, cut them down to ground level.

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: missmoneypenny on December 15, 2019, 12:34

Thanks for that mumofstig. Any other raspberry aficionados out  there? Anyone do it differently?

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: JayG on December 15, 2019, 13:29

I do the same as mum, and a single leafless 'twig' doesn't offer much wind resistance so I didn't stake mine either.

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: New shoot on December 15, 2019, 13:31

I've set up a new raspberry bed in the last few years and I also did the same as MoS advises.  In the first year, the canes that they come with are the main source of new canes. 

In subsequent years, when the roots have established, you get more coming directly out of the soil.  That is when you get into the free-range raspberry syndrome and start having to dig new bits out of your paths.  It does make you very popular with other plot holders though, if you have rooted side shoots to hand out  :lol:

Other than the annual prune down, I grow mine in deep mulch and chuck a few chicken manure pellets their way now and again.  Almost no effort, tubs and tubs of glorious fruit and it tastes nothing like anything you can buy in a shop.  You will be glad you planted them  :)

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: missmoneypenny on December 15, 2019, 18:19

Thanks new shoot, when do you prune your autumn fruiting raspberries - straight after fruiting, or in late winter?

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: New shoot on December 15, 2019, 20:31

Whenever I get to it over winter if you want me to be honest  :lol: 

I would ideally have done it by now, but it has been so wet, none of the soft fruit has been touched yet.  It is on the 'to do' list and at the top as the most pressing  ::)  I'll leave the mulching until later if need be.

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: missmoneypenny on December 15, 2019, 22:39

Honesty is the best policy! I think I have beginners nerves, especially as the lot I planted last year all died. Fingers crossed I’ll have better luck this year.

Title: Re: Just planted Autumn Bliss raspberries
Post by: Grubbypaws on December 20, 2019, 16:01

I hope that you will have better luck but Autumn Bliss hates waterlogged soil so it might be a bit of a challenge this year!