[barbarella]

I am thinking of planting some autumn fruiting raspberries on my plot this year.  When is the best time to do this?  Also, how many canes should I plant?  We don't eat jam so I just want enough for desserts and maybe a few punnets for the freezer.  I have been checking my books and magazines and some say that you don't need to support the autumn varieties on a frame.  Do members generally agree with this advice?

Is the garden centre the best place to get the canes?  Oh, and can anyone recommend a good variety?  Autumn Bliss and Zena are mentioned in the books.  We have good soil but the site is on a north facing slope close to the sea so is rather exposed, although there is a hedge on the west side, half a plot length away. 

[SG6]

Probably going to need 12 to start with if you want a crop the first year, they will multiply/spread so you will get an increase in future years in the numbers.

Ken Muir do a fair selection, Polka is said to be good, Joan J is another and is said to be good for freezing. Then again it is Ken Muir saying this and they aren't going to say: We sell them but they are awful.   Sure they have another called Galaxy or something similar.

Most say they do not need support in a sheltered site. Your site does not sound as if it is exactly sheltered.

[barbarella]

Thanks for that SG6.  I have checked the Ken Muir website and they do a collection of 12 canes - 5 Joan J, 5 Autumn Bliss and 2 Allgold for £22.41.  They dispatch them late November so that answers my planting time question.  I only have a quarter plot so everything gets planted cheek by jowl as far as I dare so if I plant the canes at one end of the plot what is the minimum space I should leave before the first row of veg?  Obviously I won't plant any that get huge like broccoli or squash.

[gillie]

You will need space to walk down the row picking, plus the raspberry canes will spread outwards.

I would think at least six feet.

Cheers,

Gillie

[DD.]

I started with about 10 twigs (best way to describe the way they looked), given to me by a neighbouring plot holder.

I've now got a row 32' long & 10' wide. I was going to thin it out last year, but because of illness it didn't get done.

So anyone wanting free canes of Autumn Bliss this autumn that lives near enough.........

(Spade & fork can be hired).

[garddwr]

I started with about 10 twigs (best way to describe the way they looked), given to me by a neighbouring plot holder.

I've now got a row 32' long & 10' wide. I was going to thin it out last year, but because of illness it didn't get done.

So anyone wanting free canes of Autumn Bliss this autumn that lives near enough.........

(Spade & fork can be hired).

How many years ago did you start DD. ?

Thanks

[DD.]

Time flies.

Think it's 7 now.

[tam]

I planted Joan J in March, had a handful in summer that were very tasty and got some more to look forward to. No prickles either which is a big bonus to me

[viettaclark]

I planted Ken Muir "Polka" over 2 years ago in spring and was pleasantly surprised when some fruited the same July. This year I moved some of the many new canes and now I've got masses of huge fruit coming which taste fantastic. I allowed some to fruit in the summer on old canes too. Although they are fairly stocky and robust I find individual canes may need a bit of support if the heavy fruit weighs them down. 
Because I was so impressed with his plants I have also bought loganberries and blackberries from him which are growing well, and have an order in for currants and gooseberries.

[Poolfield2]

Once you've planted them they need controlling, mine have run "ferral" and they pop up not just across the path into the next bed but also under the next path and into the next bed :ohmy:I think they are related to triffids.

[DD.]

Beds?

You can rule those out with rampant raspberries.

[barbarella]

Hmmm - I don't think I can afford that much space on my small plot.  I am disappointed but at least I haven't ordered anything yet so I've lost nothing.  I have my name down for another plot (again a quarter sized) but that could take years with our waiting list. 

I do love these forums - you get such helpful advice - much better than books and TV programmes.  I also try to do my bit too where I can.   Thanks everyone

[tode]

Barbarella: you don't have to let the rasps take over your whole plot !  although obviously, the more you have, the more you eat 
They can be kept in a smallish block ( 3x3 or 4x2 feet),  but make sure there's cultivated ground all round them. The new sprouts are quite easily chopped or pulled out.

If you like rasps, go for it.  Shame to miss out on them   

[gillie]

Have you considered the new clump forming purple raspberry called Glencoe that Marshalls are selling?  I have been tempted!

Gillie

(whose raspberries have suddenly gone rampant and totally out of control)

[barbarella]

Thanks Gillie - another example of what I mean by a great forum