[titch]

how thick do they need to be - i know they need to be sturdy, but how round/thick?
they are to go on my plot whcih as i found out today is pretty windy
also how tall? 4, 5, 6ft??
these are to attach the wires to
thanks

[JulesJ]

We're just about to put some in ... our raspberries grew to about 8ft tall last year, but I think the idea is that you loop the tops over all in one direction and tie them in. DH says off the top of his head he's planning posts of 2" square and 8' tall, with 2' of that sunk into the ground.

[beansticks]

HI TITCH,my supports are made of 30x30 shs(steel),8 foot long,2 foot of which is in the ground with 6 foot above,steel wires set at 2,4 and 6 foot,with tensioners.My variety is GLEN AMPLE,5 years old and now reaching 6 foot.

[celjaci]

I would go thicker ie  3-4in diameter round posts - not that expensive from a timber yard/fencing supplies kind of place.  Treated timber would last longer.

they would need to be 2ft  in the ground and may even need diagonal supports to strengthen them depending on how far apart the posts are.

It may seem a chore but when well set up you will enjoy the benefit for years - raspberries must give one of the best returns when inputs are balanced with outputs

[titch]

the posts will be around 3 metres apart, so shall i go 2x2 or bigger?

[celjaci]

I'd still go bigger with round posts as used in fencing - stronger than square.

[beansticks]

If you can ,get steel,try a local engineering shop,they will last forever,and is a thousand times stronger than timber.

[titch]

Thanks for the help, hoping to get something sorted this week, all depends on the pennies 

[andreadon]

i just use bamboo sticks.  i've got 4 on the corners of a square and horizontal ones about halfway up.  all tied together with wool: then the canes are tied (loosely) to the horizontal ones.  It's worked quite well for about 5 years.
they're the long ones - 8ft tall.

this is the only picture i can find that demonstrates it...

[Rangerkris]

If you can ,get steel,try a local engineering shop,they will last forever,and is a thousand times stronger than timber.

There only Rasberries i reckon some of  the chestnut we coppiced this winter would hold up to Rasberries. I would think a post 2inch diameter would hold more than enough. Im more than happy to be shot down in flames on this one as a dint know much about growing veg at all. 

[titch]

liking the bamboo cane structure, that would suit my pocket too - lots to think about but will ge tthem in this week, by hook or crook, got lots of digging and paths to do nxt weekend (providing the weather has stopped coming in sideways and making everything twice as tricky  )

[Salmo]

I am not suggesting that you buy but look at the pictures of the supports that Harrods sell in this link. They are very simple. I like the idea of the piece of wood along the top which will stop the posts leaning inwards. The one on the right is single double row. On the left single row.

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/search/product/Fruit+and+Vegetable+Cages%5FFruit+and+Vegetable+cage+accessories/GDN-268.htm

[titch]

Thats interesting salmo, who knew supporting raspberries would be so varied 

[GrannieAnnie]

Do raspberries really need that much support then??  I've never grown them before, but have some that poultrygeist gave me.  I was just going to support them with canes and string!

[Paul Plots]

I am not suggesting that you buy but look at the pictures of the supports that Harrods sell in this link. They are very simple. I like the idea of the piece of wood along the top which will stop the posts leaning inwards. The one on the right is single double row. On the left single row.

http://www.harrodhorticultural.com/HarrodSite/search/product/Fruit+and+Vegetable+Cages%5FFruit+and+Vegetable+cage+accessories/GDN-268.htm

A good idea but wa-rther posh and awfully dear! If my raspberries ever make it to staking height I'm going to rummage in the timber pile and go for a Harrods style stupport. Thanks