[thestens]

During the winter I want to plant a quite large raspberry area on my allotment. I envisage up to 30 plants. I want summer fruiting varieties. By way of explanation my allotment is pretty special -one it is part of the beer garden at my local
-two it cost me very little( in fact its free).
-three the landlady helps with purchasing new plants etc
-four some of the produce goes to the Pub restaurant
-five it's got great views.


I took the ground over in July( it had never been cultivated or not in living memory.) and have managed to get it 80% dug over as well as providing some spring onions, lettuce, spinach, beetroot for home and the pub. I have spring cabbage leeks and cavalo nero still in the ground.
So really the question is which would be better bare root or pot grown raspberries.
Ideally I would like some crops in the first year( it is the chef who is requesting the rasps) but even though the costs will be shared 30 plants are going to be pricey.

[JaK]

To be honest I really don't know which is best but I do know you can get bare root plants in £land which means that is what I tend to go for.

[sunshineband]

Bare root will usually be cheaper than pot grown, and in the winter are the better bet.

The only thing I would say is that they all tend to be cut back before sale and so summer fruiting types will not give you any fruit next year --- just so you are not disappointed 

[Spana]

I've never seen pot grown raspberries :blink:

[Gandan57]

If you only want summer fruiting varieties then bare root plants will not give you a crop next year, however autumn varieties would. 

If you could find summer fruiters that had been potted up but not pruned back then these would bear fruit.

Perhaps someone locally has some surplus canes. When raspberry beds become established there is never a shortage of spare plants.

[sunshineband]

I've never seen pot grown raspberries :blink:

Yes, I bought some in Homebase 2 years ago, three to a pot -- they seem to have them ever year.

Quite reasonably priced tbh 

[Trillium]

I've bought both types, and both do equally well. Its just a matter of type - summer or everbearing. The everbearings fruited the next year, the summer type fruited the next year.

Mostly I buy bare-rooted as they're way cheaper.

[JayG]

I've never seen pot grown raspberries :blink:

I'm pretty sure that the ones I've seen (and bought) in pots (usually 5 or so together in a very neat clump) were just stuffed in there not that long before going on sale, probably to keep the roots moist and look nice! 

[Trillium]

That's the kind I've seen, Jay

[Salmo]

Suttons catalogue advertises raspberrys with 4 ft canes left on so they fruit the first year. I am sure other suppliers must do the same

[gavinjconway]

Summer fruiting Rasps grows fruit on last years canes so if you want straight away you will have to go for Autumn fruiting which grow on the current years canes. Why not grow some of each and you will have a longer fruiting period.. Also maybe pop down to your local allotments at the weekend and see if anyone has some spare canes..