[SusieB]

I have a pot grown medlar and some bare root raspberries arriving tomorrow. The soil where they are to be planted is very heavy.  I am going to add plenty of grit when planting, but I wonder when the best time to plant them is.

The medlar is expensive, so I don't want to lose that.  The raspberries I planted last year didn't grow, possibly because of the wet soil.

I'm in Manchester and it's been raining, and I think it's going to continue for a while yet.

[surbie100]

Can you heel them in till it's drier?

[SusieB]

Yes I can heel them in, do  I then plant them when it's dryer and (probably) colder?

[surbie100]

Yes, because it's potted the medlar should be ok to plant much later though. Raspberries should be ok heeled in till March-ish. My understanding is that it's not the cold, though you wouldn't plant in frozen soil, but the wet that's the problem.

[Goosegirl]

When planting in heavy soil, dig a hole a lot wider than the rootball because, if you don't, you will create a sump that water will drain into.

[bayleaf]

I grow raspberries well in wet Lancashire - is your drainage okay? Raspberries don't mind plenty of water but the soil must be free draining as they can't abide being in waterlogged ground.