Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Mrs Jean Owen on September 04, 2009, 21:43

Title: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: Mrs Jean Owen on September 04, 2009, 21:43
Hi all, I have a query and wondered if anybody could help me.  This is the first time I have grown Autumn Bliss Raspberries.  I have put them in a raised bed and have had lot of raspberries until now - the blooms have dried off!  Do you think it is because of the very hot weather we have had?  I have watered them twice a week.  Hope they will be okay for next year.  
Title: Re: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: DD. on September 04, 2009, 21:48
It may well be lack of water, plants in raised beds often require more. My AB are still going strong.

Was there a reason why they should be grown in a raised bed, rather than open ground?  You may have created extra work for yourself there.
Title: Re: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: Mrs Jean Owen on September 04, 2009, 21:58
we have very heavy clay on our allotment so have 15 raised beds - everything grew well except the rasps.  They were lovely in the beginning but have got smaller and smaller and now no more..... Just dried flowers and small rasps that were forming!!
Title: Re: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: Aunt Sally on September 04, 2009, 22:00
Raspberries require to be moist at the roots all the time.  They hate to dry out and the roots are quite shallow.
Title: Re: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: Mrs Jean Owen on September 04, 2009, 22:04
oh dear looks as though I should have watered a lot more than I did.  Will know for next year.  Is it right I should cut them right down in February?
Title: Re: Raspberries - Autum Bliss
Post by: Kristen on September 04, 2009, 23:53
"Is it right I should cut them right down in February?"

Anytime after they have finished fruiting is fine.

I mulch mine heavily in Spring with grass clippings - keeps the moisture in.