raspberry canes - spacing and number

[Cutecumber]

I am thinking of buying some raspberry canes, of an autumn fruiting variety, for the first time.

I have done some reading, but I am still unsure about how many plants to grow, and how far apart they should be planted.

I need to know as I don't have much space and I may have to use a large container, or I may have to abort the whole project.

Any advice on productivity (and therefore the number of canes) and spacing of autumn types?

Many thanks.

[lainey lou]

Hi Cutecumber
I'm planning to put in some raspberries this year too. I've been adviced to plant them approx 15 inches apart and I'm planning on planting a double row.
I'm hoping to put in a few each of early, main and late season cropping varieties.
I would advice you to plant as many as you have space for, you can never have too many raspberries as they will freeze well.
Lainey lou

[Two_Sheds]

The most recommended seems to be Autumn Bliss. Have a looksee here:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile...aspberries.asp

[Cutecumber]

yes, thanks - I saw that article. My first choice is autumn bliss.

[Two_Sheds]

I inherited my raspberry patch and don't know what variety they are, they seem to be a mix of summer and autumn types, but fruiting overlaps so I don't really know. I am gradually weeding out the weakest canes (but boy, do they sucker!) to leave the biggest fruiting ones, which I suspect are autumn bliss - big fat juicy berries which I pick about a dozen a week and freeze to add to porridge/muffins over the winter.

[smallblueplanet]

We bought JoanJ last year they seem very good and taste good too. We've enough from 5 canes to make raspberry brandy & gin!
They're still going, til 1st frosts I think. They've not needed netting but I think they'd benefit from some support next year.

[Cutecumber]

There are a couple of good offers around for canes at the moment... including in some funny gardening magazine or another

It might be time to take the plunge.

What kind of height do the autumn varieties get to? I assume they are shorter than their siblings as you cut them right down each year.

[veg4681]

I too have been thinking about getting raspberry planted, Autumn variety as I keep hearing they're the easier one to deal with.

In fact, I've just been spending some time talking to my neighbour about their Autumn raspberry bushes. They have 12 canes and it didn't look like they are taking up that much space. They use 2 rows, 6 canes in each row and they're fairly thick and upright (nothing long flimsy like blackberry) and at most, you might use a bamboo cane to support the raspberry cane. I didn't see many suckers either, just neat main stems. They aren't too high either for picking the fruits, about my height 5'6" or slighty taller.

On each cane, they weren't that many fruits so you do need several canes to give you decent quantity. For fruit picking access to the canes, you might not need 3 walking paths say for a 2 rows, just two on the outer sides are enough, saving you the middle path to be much narrower maybe.

Unfortunately, my neighbour was unable to tell me what Autumn variety they got and when I asked about quantity, they said 12 canes provide enough berries for them. Personally for me, 12 is too many for my garden and I'd start with 5-6 canes first and decide later about getting more.

I tried one raspberry and it wasn't very tasty, as in sweet, more like taut which isn't something I like. If you're like me, they have to be very very very ripe (to the point of breaking almost) before it taste great. I've asked them to save me some suckers after the harvest is over. BTW I saw no netting too to keep off the birds.

[Cutecumber]

I think I'll go for six canes and see how I get on.

Autumn Bliss/ Allgold will be just fine.

[valmarg]

I bought 6 Joan J canes spring last year (Spring 2006). We had a small crop from them last year. They were very large and very tasty berries.

This year they have been throwing up suckers, and we have had a wonderful crop. Currently we are picking about a pound a day. Would certainly recommend the variety, but suckering could be a problem.

valmarg

[veg4681]

We bought JoanJ last year they seem very good and taste good too.

They've not needed netting but I think they'd benefit from some support next year.

I bought 6 Joan J canes spring last year (Spring 2006). They were very large and very tasty berries.

This year they have been throwing up suckers, and we have had a wonderful crop. Would certainly recommend the variety, but suckering could be a problem.

Now is Joan J the best Autumn raspberry to have for taste and size? If I plant a raspberry, I want to make sure that it's the one I like. The problem with fruit bush/tree is you should try the taste of various variety until you find the one you really like. However both of you reporting suckering and support issues are cause for concern for me when compared to my neighbour's neat & tidy raspberry bushes. Is there a trade off between taste/size and suckering/support hassle?

[smallblueplanet]

Don't know about how other rasps taste, only tried JoanJ, decided on from reviews and asking on here. They're a good size and taste though, but I wonder how much difference there is between the autumn varieties?

As to support and suckering, well I reckon a couple of posts and some string ain't too difficult and at least suckers mean plenty of new plants for the future and neighbours and friends?

What variety are your neighbours?

[Rob G]

What variety are your neighbours?

Homo sapiens ?

Rob

[boffin]

Have tried Joan J for two years. A much better cropper than Autumn Bliss but my wife and me are both disappointed in the flavour. No supermarket will sell Joan J which must say something. Yes there will be plenty of suckers with this variety but so what, one needs new canes for the next year. Will be trying Polka next year

[valmarg]

DTBrown seem to be advertising Polka as a replacement./better variety than Joan J.

I've bveen very pleased with the yield/flavour. I gave a bowl of Joan J to next door neighbours, and the said they were the best raspberries they had ever tasted.

I'm very happy with Joan J tastewise, but it can be a bit of a thug suckerwise. Nothing in life is perfect, mores the pity.

valmarg