[matt80]

Hi all,

I've just taken delivery of 20 raspberry canes. The instructions say only to plant in November or December when weather is suitable, otherwise they should be heeled in.

Can someone help me with:
1. When is the weather suitable or not suitable? It is frosty here at the moment, but not snowing.
2. How should I heel them in? I've currently got them in a bucket full of shop bought compost - will this suffice?

[mumofstig]

'suitable' is when the soil is not too wet or frozen solid so you can't dig

They'll be fine in the bucket, just don't let them dry right out (if there aren't any holes in the bucket, make sure they don't sit in waterlogged compost either)

Plant as soon as weather allows you to

[Goosegirl]

Heeling them in means that you just dig a trench and put them in separately, then spread the soil over and literally heel them in firmly. This is usually done as a temporary measure when they aren't in their final positions.

[Trillium]

I agree with the above and would be watching for any suitable day soon to plant them. Spring is already busy enough without taking time to plant out raspberries which would already be growing.