[Mrs Jean Owen]

Hi all, I have a query and wondered if anybody could help me.  This is the first time I have grown Autumn Bliss Raspberries.  I have put them in a raised bed and have had lot of raspberries until now - the blooms have dried off!  Do you think it is because of the very hot weather we have had?  I have watered them twice a week.  Hope they will be okay for next year.  

[DD.]

It may well be lack of water, plants in raised beds often require more. My AB are still going strong.

Was there a reason why they should be grown in a raised bed, rather than open ground?  You may have created extra work for yourself there.

[Mrs Jean Owen]

we have very heavy clay on our allotment so have 15 raised beds - everything grew well except the rasps.  They were lovely in the beginning but have got smaller and smaller and now no more..... Just dried flowers and small rasps that were forming!!

[Aunt Sally]

Raspberries require to be moist at the roots all the time.  They hate to dry out and the roots are quite shallow.

[Mrs Jean Owen]

oh dear looks as though I should have watered a lot more than I did.  Will know for next year.  Is it right I should cut them right down in February?

[Kristen]

"Is it right I should cut them right down in February?"

Anytime after they have finished fruiting is fine.

I mulch mine heavily in Spring with grass clippings - keeps the moisture in.