[VioletSky]

I'm going to grow raspberries for the first time, so excuse my lack of basics. I read that they need 18" between plants, 6' between rows. I only have one row, but I've allowed 5' width plus 2' either side for paths.

I read that if I plant them in a raised bed 2' wide it will help prevent them getting waterlogged. But if I construct a 2' bed within my 5' space, will I be restricting their growth to only 2' wide? Do they grow absolutely vertically, or even if the base is restricted to 2', will the bush out wider?

[Shadrak]

As far as my raspberries go they grow vertically no bush at all so they should be fine. Hope this helps till some of the better posters find your topic.

[viettaclark]

If you've got 5' available you could put in two rows as you've got access either side.

[mumofstig]

Raspberries really only grow straight up, but over the years the width of the rootstock increases as they send up more new shoots further away from the original bit you planted, until you have quite a wide row.

If you have grass paths around your bed any suckers that come up too far away will just be mown away

[VioletSky]

ok, so I can grow 2 rows of raspberries in a 5' space cos I have paths either side of the 5'? Will I be able to get between the two rows?

[sunshineband]

You would be able to get between the rows for a year or so, especially if you cut out old canes from time to time.

Suckers do come up a little way from the base of the original canes and you can always remove any in the way 

[VioletSky]

Great, thanks for the help

[Swing Swang]

I use a 'Bob Flowerdew method' for a small patch of canes - plant them in a circle (or a square if you're using one end of a raised bed) without any supports, then when the canes approach maximim growth bend each one over and tie the tip to its neighbour, about 25% of the way down from the top. Work your way round the circle. In this way each cane is tied to its neighbour and withstands the weight of the fruit and any gales.

Works well for small patches - feel free to ask for a photo if this doesn't make sense.

SS

[andtiggertoo]

I like the sound of the bob flowerdew method. What diameter is the circle Swing Swang?

I only intend to grow a few canes ( maybe 6 maximum), in my garden. As I was concerned about runners taking over I was going to plant them in raised beds. I have no scaffold planks left though. So I was going to use the top half of plastic dusbins ( of which I have several we just went to wheelie bins in this area). I was thinking about lining these up and planting the canes in a row. But I'm now wondering about planting 3 in each bin. If the space is too small I could arrange 3 bins in a circle with perhaps 2 canes in each which would give an overall bigger circle.

What do people think ?

How deep do the runners go?

Thanks

[MoreWhisky]

Ive got loads of suckers come up on my Autumn ones , should i limit the amount ? if so to how many ?

[mumofstig]

Ive got loads of suckers come up on my Autumn ones , should i limit the amount ? if so to how many ?

If you have the room....just leave them to spread.........more lovely raspberries

[Lulu]

I put new canes in last spring in a raised bed, 2 rows, 3 varieties to last the summer.  I got some lovely Autumn raspberries and so far they all seem to be budding up well.  I put sunflowers in between the rows last year for the birds and bees.

[VioletSky]

Lulu, how big is your raised bed?

[Swing Swang]

andtiggertoo - the circle is about 6' in diameter, but I guess that the principle would work for larger areas - I'll go out and take a picture

[Swing Swang]

Back now - hope these give you the idea. They were tied down late summer and a couple of the ties need attending to so the circle is looking a little ragged. For scale the paving slabs are 70cm by 70cm.

Regards,

SS