[balfie]

We took possession of our first allotment this weekend   and have inherited some plants.  We are total noobs, have a very small paved yard, never had a 'proper' garden so this is all new to us.
Can someone tell us, are these raspberry canes?
And is there anything we need to be doing with them?  How do we care for them?

I have googled raspberry canes but it seems there are two different types that need different care?  It was just making me more muddled!   :blink:






Edited to add: these pics were taken a few weeks ago, they are growing nice new fresh leaves now 

[snowdrops]

Yes look s like them to me.

[gazza975526570]

Looks like it - i would get rid of the weeds and sods of grass for now - any then see during the season what variety they are.

When you know that you can then cut them back at the end of their season dependent upon their variety

[JayG]

The odds are that they are raspberries; first thing is to weed the poor things (bearing in mind they are quite shallow rooted and not to pull out any new shoots growing from them by mistake), second is to give them a feed (and a mulch if possible), third is to wait and see whether they are an early or late type, and fourth is to enjoy whatever you get from them! 

[gazza975526570]

never noticed that before - where i wrote "s o d s" for grass it has put a *.

Not sure how many people would be offended by that word really!

[JayG]

The censor built into the forum software isn't all that bright really - best to preview your post, look for the dreaded asterisk, and then use "tufts" (or whatever!) 

[gazza975526570]

The censor built into the forum software isn't all that bright really - best to preview your post, look for the dreaded asterisk, and then use "tufts" (or whatever!) 

Cheers 

Pesky software!!! 

[thestens]

Shallow weed them and get a mulch on them. The plot looks a good one plenty of digging to be done though. Take your time and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

[Spana]

......and is the bush bottom right a black currant? Could be, i have some that are a bit neglected and look like that

[catweazle]

yup there raspberrys.

looks a nice allotment best of luck 

[balfie]

Thanks for all the replies, I will get that grass out asap 

When you say mulch, what is the best thing to use?  Mulch is just 'stuff' put on top of the soil around the plant isnt it?

Any recommendations for feed or shall we just look in the garden centres?

Unfortunately those bushes in the foreground have gone now, the previousl tennant has dug them all up and taken them.

[JayG]

Any sort of general purpose fertiliser will help them (I suggest you avoid blood, fish and bone if you think you might have foxes in the area as they can't resist "checking it out"!)

Mulch helps to keep the moisture in the soil, which raspberries appreciate because their roots are so shallow - anything like grass clippings, used compost, rotted manure would do the trick, but don't worry about it too much if you've too much else to do - raspberries are tough plants and will soldier on regardless but still appreciate a bit of TLC if it's on offer!