Rasp Planting Distances

[sewer rat]

Hi y'all
Does anyone know if the distance between summer and autumn fruiting rasps should be the same - approx 18", with five ft between rows, only I'm planning to order 250 canes so need to work out my area and my fence supports.

[pigletwillie]

I grow them both at just those spacings rat although to be honest after the first year the distances are academic as they will send spawn out in all directions.

Its then a case of thining them out to just the strongest canes or you will end up with masses of growth everywhere.

[Lesley Jay]

Rat in my book the planting distances are the same 18 inches but it recommends 6 foot between rows.

[pigletwillie]

I think that the distance between rows is arbitary and totally dependant upon what space you have available, books can be very idealistic with space and assume that everybody owns half an acre.

I planted my 5 rows at 5 foot spacings as it allowed me space for the extra row. In reallity the differance hasnt made a jot to the quality or weight of crop when I compare it to the single row that is planted on its own in plenty of space.

Saying that though, with 250 canes you must have more than half an acre Rat LOL.

[Lesley Jay]

I have my raspberry rows wide enough so that I can go down the middle to pick the fruit. Don't know how wide they are mind you!!

[Shortie]

My raspberries are way to close together if you go by the book recomendations. They're doing fine but then I only have a small patch that I cab reach into and not have to walk down, and if I mess it up, I only have a small amount to replce. Agreed though, books and seed packets do seem to be too generous with spaces left between plants

[sparkyaj]

Rat, Do you mind me asking where you are ordering your canes from please??

I would like to plant about 100 canes but can't find any locally that look well enough to take for next year.

A little tip........look for canes that have not been handled hardly as the slightest of damage to the youngens will be fine this year, next year you'll lose half of them to blight.

I worked for 5 years at a large fruit farm nearby. Sadly, he won't tell me where he gets his canes from and when I look in our local garden centers and see canes all over the place it makes me cringe.

Distances seem ok to me in your listings........... once your rows are planted up, keep a constant prune with any new growths that grow outside the parallel line you have planted. Only allow the upwards and sidewards growths to grow up.

This way, within two years you will establish a fine row of strong plants and fantastic crops.......

Hope i'm not teaching you to suck eggs............

Good luck.......I'm halfway behind.JAAJJAJAJAJAJAJAJA

[sewer rat]

PigletWillie
Eventually I will have 90 acres to play with !!!!!!!!!!!
Sparkaj - used to work on a fruit farm - cool - will mark you down as fruit specialist for when I have any queries on a commercial basis Have a look at this website - they are commercial seed merchants and sell 50 canes for £33.00 - varieties available in their current catalogue are Julia, Glen Ample, Malling Leo and Autumn Bliss
www.molesseeds.co.uk
To everyone else, thanks for your replies too.

[sparkyaj]

Thanks for the link. If I can be of any help please don't hesitate to ask.

you can contact me on my e-mail
Good luck with the planting If I was nearer, I'de come and give you a hand..........

*Sparkyaj I have sent your email to Rat via PM.