When should I plant raspberry canes?

November to March in the dormant season — bare-root canes are cheaper, establish better, and arrive by post when the season is right. Pot-grown canes can be planted year-round but they're more expensive and don't catch up to bare-root by the following summer.

What's the difference between summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting raspberries?

Summer-fruiting fruit on canes that grew last year (biennial canes); harvest June–July; bigger fruit, classic flavour; prune by cutting fruited canes after harvest. Autumn-fruiting fruit on canes that grew this year (annual canes); harvest August–October; smaller fruit but a longer picking season; prune by cutting everything to the ground in February. Autumn types are easier to manage.

How do I prune raspberries?

Depends on type. Summer-fruiting: after harvest, cut fruited canes (look brown and woody) to ground level; tie new green canes to the wires for next year. Autumn-fruiting: in February, cut all canes to ground level — the plant pushes up fresh canes that fruit the same year. Confusion is the commonest reason for poor crops; identify your variety before pruning.

My raspberries are spreading everywhere — how do I control them?

Raspberries spread by underground suckers and can become invasive. Bury a barrier (sunk paving slabs or pond liner) around the row 30 cm deep to stop lateral spread. Dig out unwanted suckers regularly through summer. Containers work for autumn-fruiting types (40-litre pots) but limit yield.

How long do raspberry plants last?

10–12 years from a single planting if well-mulched and properly pruned. After that, productivity drops and viruses build up; replace by buying new certified canes (don't transplant your own — virus carries over).

How do I store a glut of raspberries?

Freeze flat on a tray (single layer, no contact), then bag once frozen — they keep separate. Use within 12 months. Jam and freezing are the two main paths; raspberry vinegar is a delicate alternative. Fresh raspberries last 2–3 days in the fridge if dry; never wash until you eat them.

Lampone

Rubus idaeus

Piantate i rami di lampone da novembre a marzo, durante la stagione di riposo vegetativo: i rami a radice nuda sono più economici di quelli in vaso e attecchiscono meglio. I lamponi sono molto resistenti (RHS H6) e sopportano bene gli inverni del Regno Unito. Piantateli a una distanza di 45 cm l'uno dall'altro, in file distanziate di 1,8 m, in un terreno umido, fertile e leggermente acido, in pieno sole o in leggera ombra. Le varietà a fruttificazione estiva (Glen Ample, Tulameen) producono frutti sui rami dell'anno precedente: legate i nuovi germogli man mano che compaiono. Le varietà a fruttificazione autunnale (Autumn Bliss, Polka) producono frutti sui rami dell'anno in corso: potate tutto a terra a febbraio. Proteggere con una rete dagli uccelli a partire da giugno. Entrambe le varietà producono abbondanti raccolti per 10–12 anni da una sola piantagione; sono i frutti di bosco più facili da coltivare nel Regno Unito.

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