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.

Malina

Rubus idaeus

Sadź pędy malin od listopada do marca, w okresie spoczynku — pędy z gołym korzeniem są tańsze od tych uprawianych w doniczkach i lepiej się zakorzeniają. Maliny są bardzo odporne (RHS H6) i bez problemu znoszą brytyjskie zimy. Sadź je w odległości 45 cm od siebie w rzędach oddalonych o 1,8 m, w wilgotnej, żyznej, lekko kwaśnej glebie, w pełnym słońcu lub w lekkim cieniu. Odmiany owocujące latem (Glen Ample, Tulameen) owocują na zeszłorocznych pędach — nowe pędy należy podwiązywać w miarę ich pojawiania się. Odmiany owocujące jesienią (Autumn Bliss, Polka) owocują na tegorocznych pędach — w lutym należy je całkowicie przyciąć do ziemi. Od czerwca należy zabezpieczyć uprawę siatką przed ptakami. Oba rodzaje owocują obficie przez 10–12 lat od momentu posadzenia; są to najłatwiejsze w uprawie owoce miękkie w Wielkiej Brytanii.

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