[makedoandmend]

Folks,

I have just got my allotment - Jungle really!- after 5 years.

The only thing worth saving is some raspberry canes in amongst the elephant grass. I gather they are autumn raspberries and have found a name tag in amongst the detritis. They are a variety called Joan.

I would like to propagate some of the runners so that I can clear the plot and re-plant next year.

Could anyone tell me the best way to do this? Do I take root cuttings and cut down the cane? I'm hoping to have a cold frame / green house up soon so I can keep them frost free over winter - is this necessary? I understand that Autumn raspberries require pruning in a different way - can someone explain this for me?

I've checked my gardening books but can't clarify what I need to do.

Thanks in anticipation.

Make do

[DD.]

They'll be "Joan J", no doubt.

Chop the canes right down. Split the runners off with a spade, re plant where you want them.

No need to molly coddle over winter.

[Growster...]

Joan is an Autumn cropper, and needs a big chop down as DD says.
They'll grow like weeds, so don't worry about them!

Best of luck - Autumn rasps are really the best you can get!

[fatbelly]

I have grown Joan J Raspberry's and they were very good tasty berrys that were bigger than any other berry that I had tasted or seen.

[gavinjconway]

I got my plot this time last year and I was in the same situation... I did as DD suggested... dug them out, prepared a spot for them and planted them out splitting the runners up. I got about 50 plants and have had loads of fruit off them this first year...

[mumofstig]

They're what I grow, and they're delish  

Be warned - be very careful to get every piece of root up from where they are now - they will regrow from even a small piece left behind  

[Dopey113]

I am still cropping mine, maybe another week maybe two... I have so much fruit from them its hard to know what to do with it all.... star collecting jars now for your jam

[grendel]

I have exactly the same situation as you, let over rasperries when I got the plot (actually escapees from the plot next door) I just left them along the fence, but they are spreading quite quickly. every few days I pick two or three takeaway containers (large size) and guess I still have at least 2 visits left.
Grendel