Rasps, don't think I have enough room :o(

[GlenAmple]

I bought some Raspberry canes (5 x Glen Ample), in a pot, just a couple of weeks ago and now realise I might not have enough room for them. I was going to plant them along the path in a strip about 9ft long and about 1 1/2 ft wide but their planting instructions say they need to be planted 20 ins apart. Help Or maybe I'm just worrying about nothing?

[tamsin]

I've got 6 canes in a tub about 3' by 18" I would space them out evenly along the area... the 20" is probably just to allow room for lots of new canes to grow in future years.

[GlenAmple]

Thanks Tasmin

[Buleste]

I wouldn't worry too much about the spacing as I'm sure they'll be fine. However make sure that where you plant them is contained as Raspberries are swine for throwing off runners and trying to take over your garden.

[abby]

I wouldn't worry too much about the spacing as I'm sure they'll be fine. However make sure that where you plant them is contained as Raspberries are swine for throwing off runners and trying to take over your garden.

Are there raspberries that you can grow in containers as I don't want them taking over my garden?...

[tamsin]

I don't think there are any special varieties for containners, you just don't get as many from contains as the space is smaller. I picked a thornless variety so I didn't get prickled pruning

[Madasafish]

Glen Ample are very vigorous. I would suggest you need much more room. If you grow in a cramped container, you will not get much fruit and in summer you will have to water a lot. Try a different place: along a fence?

I ignored recommended spacings years ago and over time reverted to them due to lack of sunlight affecting berry growth..

Rasps like cool damp area... iirc

[gojiberry]

Yes there is a clump forming raspberry that can be grown well in a container. I think it is called glencoe and is available from marshalls but it is quite expensive. And just to add to the unusualness it is a purple colour. Haven't tried the fruit so don't know about flavour.

Ian

[Two_Sheds]

My raspberry bushes are 3' wide and very healthy. I wouldn't try and squish them closer, because you won't get as much fruit. What's the point?
Grow fewer, better

[GlenAmple]

Trust me to like a vigorous variety That one and Glen Lyon are the only ones that I know I really like, I've never been much of a Raspberry fan 'til I tasted those two.

I don't mind compromising fruit production as long as I get some, is there any way I can contain them?

[tamsin]

Would digging out, lining it with weed proof membrane then filling it up again work?

[GlenAmple]

They're still in their pot so don't need dug out yet, how deep would I need to go with the weed membrane?

[tamsin]

I don't know, I'm new to growing raspberries

[Madasafish]

Raspberrries grow from shallow roots which spread out ina 30-5-cm diameter. Hence the spacing. Any less and they shade the roots/dry the soil and fruit production is poor. Try doubling the planting distance and putting the surplus in pots or some of the portable growing bags : made of polypropylene - about £2.50 for two. They are intended for tomatoes or potatoes but 1 raspberry in each would work. (NOT growbags)
Fill with a soil/compost mix and add bone meal or blood fish and bone.

You will need supports: a fully laden raspberry bush can weigh 5-10kgs# so some kind of wire or strong fence type support is essential..

(then there are the birds to consider)

# an estimate before bird losses...

[GlenAmple]

Thankyou for all your help Madasa I might just put them all in those big growing bags or get some big pots, then I won't need to worry about them trying to take over the garden