[londongardener]

Two years in a row I have planted raspberries and they have died - didn't even sprout.
I wonder if the problem is that the soil is quite heavy clay.  Could I add organic matter and gravel?
I did plant quite close to blackberries could that be part of the problem?
First time bare rooted, second containerised and I did soak them for about 20 minutes each time IIRC.
My preparation could have been better, I just dug and added some compost to them

[mumofstig]

They do like clay soil - I think it has just been too hot and dry for them, they really prefer a 'Scottish' climate to the Mediterranean style one we've had this summer .
Even the row that has been here forever, with a huge root run, had very few fruits and really doesn't look happy right now, despite a few buckets of water now and then  So I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about them, it's just bad luck!

[londongardener]

They do like clay soil - I think it has just been too hot and dry for them, they really prefer a 'Scottish' climate to the Mediterranean style one we've had this summer .
Even the row that has been here forever, with a huge root run, had very few fruits and really doesn't look happy right now, despite a few buckets of water now and then  So I wouldn't beat yourself up too much about them, it's just bad luck!

But they died last year as well. Also this year they didn't even last to the heat wave.  Or should I have been watering during winter?  I was ill during late March this year and early April (I had Covid)

[JayG]

Bought some Joan J last winter and planted them where I had previously been growing Autumn Bliss, and they've really struggled.
It serves me right because I knew about raspberry replant disease but hoped I'd get away with it (still hoping they do better next year, and I did plant one in a new patch of soil as a backup.)

Were yours planted where raspberries had been growing previously (not just the previous year?)

If not, it might be a drainage issue - they don't like waterlogged soil.

[londongardener]

Bought some Joan J last winter and planted them where I had previously been growing Autumn Bliss, and they've really struggled.
It serves me right because I knew about raspberry replant disease but hoped I'd get away with it (still hoping they do better next year, and I did plant one in a new patch of soil as a backup.)

Were yours planted where raspberries had been growing previously (not just the previous year?)

If not, it might be a drainage issue - they don't like waterlogged soil.

Thanks for that no raspberries had been there in 2018 - not sure about previous years but I doubt it.