[Moonshine132435]

I’ve searched old threads but can’t see that this question has been asked before: I’ve received 18 bare-root raspberry canes this week (three different types); can I leave them in my un-heated shed for the winter and put them in the ground when it warms up, or is it better to plant them now, even though it’s cold and wet?

[JayG]

Cold and wet soil is much better than cold and dry (if you store them like that in the shed you'll kill 'em.)

[mumofstig]

You have to plant them soon, or they will die.
You could heel them in for a few weeks if you still need to clear where they're going.

[Growster...]

Sounds like you got the same as we did, Moon! (Unwins?)

As Mum says, you must heel them in a small area somewhere, or they'll surely die off over winter!

They're pretty hardy, but like everyone, they need a drink...

Good luck; heeling in is only covering all the roots with something like compost or soil, so nature can keep an eye on them while you decide where to put them!

[Moonshine132435]

I got my deal on-line Growster, but I'm sure they're very similar.

Thanks for all the input, I'm clearly going to have to do some work before the rugby starts this afternoon.

Just one final queation: what is the difference between heeling in and planting, other than perhaps the final location? I also have a bare root apple tree waiting to go in so this is quite relevant now?

[DD.]

If you heel in, you just dig a shallow hole, cover the roots with soil and then firm with the heel of your foot. You can put all the canes into one hole/trench (if there's a lot) in any spare piece of ground until you're ready to move them to their final position.

It keeps the roots moist and in roughly the conditions they will find where they will eventually go.

[Headgardener22]

An alternative to heeling them into the ground would be to put them into pots of compost. It works just as well but means you can plant them more easily without potentially damaging their roots if you have to leave them for a while.