Raspberry for a small patch

[tom_birmingham]

Hi,

I have a patch of the garden where previously I was growing kale, it's the shadier end of the garden and runs up the side of a privet hedge. The hedge is a bit of a life sucker but it's done ok, previously I have had chard and courgettes in there -just needs a little extra water and plenty of manure/woodchips from the chicken pen etc.

Now I want to put some Autumn raspberries in there, any recommendations for a smallish patch ? Where you can see the kale in this image is where I am thinking at the moment. Autumn Bliss would be an obvious choice. Not sure the best way of spacing and to set up so I can have canes there as a permanent fixture. I am raspberry crazy so I am happy to do this.

[vixylix]

I've just got some all gold - but literally just got so not much help to you I'm afraid!

Maybe you could try a few different varieties?

Your garden is beautiful though!!

[BUFFS]

first put a barrier around the proposed area, really needs to be about 2ft deep to stop the raspberry escape committee making a break for it, I have joan j raspberries, which I think are thornless (I have never got any thorns anyway and I am dead clumsy), put some strong posts in to stretch a heavy wire between and leave at least 3ft between rows, plant them good and deep and then...stand back.

[Kirk]

Try Joan J or Polka.
Problem is that whatever you do they spread, by underground runners. And they get everywhere pretty fast.

[chrisdb]

It's really not that much of a problem. I use a combination of the lawnmower and snapping the unwanted shoots by hand while they're still green and that contains them just fine with very little extra effort. Certainly less than digging in a barrier 2ft deep!

[BUFFS]

It's really not that much of a problem. I use a combination of the lawnmower and snapping the unwanted shoots by hand while they're still green and that contains them just fine with very little extra effort. Certainly less than digging in a barrier 2ft deep!

my raspberries are along the side of my veg patch so I need to stop them spreading like bindweed, they did pop up in the middle of the rhubarb the other year...

[tom_birmingham]

Thanks for the hints, as the space is roughly 6 by 4 (the kale section) I shall do a singular row of canes, running at around 3 canes in that space. Would that be ok ?

[sparrow100]

I out in some Joan J last year and had a phenomenal first year crop off them. I haven't staked and they did fall over, but seemed to cope ok. They taste wonderful.

However, I am sure the Escape Committee is quietly making underground invasion plans...

[chrisdb]

Thanks for the hints, as the space is roughly 6 by 4 (the kale section) I shall do a singular row of canes, running at around 3 canes in that space. Would that be ok ?

6ft by 4ft seems like a big space for 3 canes. They'll naturally spread and fill the space anyway, but there's no harm in planting more to start with, maybe 4 per row? I'd be tempted to put in 2 rows and leave a narrow alley down the middle for access. If you do that, put in supporting wires on both sides of the central alley or the canes will lean and block it.

[BUFFS]

Thanks for the hints, as the space is roughly 6 by 4 (the kale section) I shall do a singular row of canes, running at around 3 canes in that space. Would that be ok ?

you have room for 5 in a row there, they will still be happy, I used to grow them in Sheldon....

[tom_birmingham]

Hiya - picked up 5 canes online from Rocket Gardens, these will be planted in the garden - this weekend I'll prepare the soil in prep for arrival. So will be planting these in a row - like these videos on this How To Grow Raspberries | Thompson & Morgan site, I doubt I'll be doing supports then as they are Autumn Bliss. May just put some posts in just in case.

[BUFFS]

first put a barrier around the proposed area, really needs to be about 2ft deep to stop the raspberry escape committee making a break for it, I have joan j raspberries, which I think are thornless (I have never got any thorns anyway and I am dead clumsy), put some strong posts in to stretch a heavy wire between and leave at least 3ft between rows, plant them good and deep and then...stand back.

another option would be possibly to use old dustbins sunk into the ground as a neighbour has, the bottoms drilled with about 10 x 10mm holes for drainage meaning you can plant around the 3ins proud upper lips of the bins(cut to whatever depth suits you), as the creeping roots will be kept in check, you could plant some veg into large pots to raise the soil level and help with getting enough light, I would probably grow a fairly tall growing pea onto a bamboo frame or supported mini trellis..

[mothhawk]

Hiya - picked up 5 canes online from Rocket Gardens, these will be planted in the garden - this weekend I'll prepare the soil in prep for arrival. So will be planting these in a row - like these videos on this How To Grow Raspberries | Thompson & Morgan site, I doubt I'll be doing supports then as they are Autumn Bliss. May just put some posts in just in case.

I grow Joan J (yes it is thornless) in a small space, and if they lean I give each stem a garden cane. I find that keeps them up very well. When you only have 5 - 10 raspberry canes it's no bother to shove in a cane and tie each one off.

[tom_birmingham]

Thanks everyone, I have 5 canes in a box ready to go in - hope the ground isnt frozen tonight, seems a lot fresher this week rather than freezing. Will be going in the minuses only on Saturday, have some well rotted manure and compost to dig in with the plants.