Wanting to get raspberry bushes...

[mothergoose]

I have a few questions for those of you that raise raspberries. I would like to get some yellow and some red raspberries. Do you need at least 2 of each variety to produce berries ?
Are the everbearing red raspberries a good choice?

Do they need planted in full sun?
If bought as plants, how long before they bear fruit?
Are birds (starlings etc..) a problem? Do you have to net the bushes? (we have alot of filthy starlings around here!)
Do they require any type of anual spraying etc.?



Any input is appreciated.
Thanks,
Christie

 

[patandchickens]

I have a few questions for those of you that raise raspberries. I would like to get some yellow and some red raspberries. Do you need at least 2 of each variety to produce berries ?

Nope!

Are the everbearing red raspberries a good choice?

If you want smaller crops over a longer season. If you want A BUnch O Raspberries For Canning Or Freezing, regular ones are a better choice.

Do they need planted in full sun?

Pretty much. They will tolerate some hours of shade during the day, but fruit more poorly. They also do best with good air movement, to decrease the incidence of disease. But not a super windy site.

If bought as plants, how long before they bear fruit?

Generally the next year.

Are birds (starlings etc..) a problem? Do you have to net the bushes? (we have alot of filthy starlings around here!)

I am sure it varies regionally. Here, birds do not hit the raspberries as hard as they do other things e.g. cherries or saskatoons; but they certainly do eat some raspberries so you might need to cover them, especially if you care about yield.

Do they require any type of anual spraying etc.?

Not in my experience. They do need to be pruned (correctly!) and most need their runners and sprouts whacked back so you don't end up with an impenetrable pathless raspberry wilderness <g>

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[mothergoose]

Thank you Pat.

 

[Lavender2]

I've raised a fairly large patch of Summer bearing red raspberries for about 20 years.
I highly recommend them, which ever type you choose!
However I may not sound so enthusiastic when I'm heading out there to do the Spring pruning and thinning

As for the ever bearing, I would research how well they do in your area. Each variety has such different traits, taste, etc...
Some recommended for your area

We don't have starlings around in summer, but I've heard they can be quite a problem. (they probably are not a protected bird )
We have many other berry eating birds... catbirds, orioles, blackbirds, jays, etc.
I have never netted the bushes, used any type of sprays or had any disease problems. Pruning and thinning is a big must, as Pat mentioned.

My harvest time lasts about 4-5 weeks. The birds most likely get some, but I pick 12-20 gallon bags ... and eat a few

They are definitely worth a weekend of runner wrestling and pruning!

 

[mothergoose]

Lavender2, Just curious, about how many bushes do you have? Sounds like you get a nice amount of berries off them.
Thanks,
Christie

 

[Lavender2]

Lavender2, Just curious, about how many bushes do you have? Sounds like you get a nice amount of berries off them.
Thanks,
Christie

O gosh, I wouldn't know how many ... the patch is about 30' by 25', I'm guessing, with 4 paths.
I try to keep the berry rows about 2' wide. They multiply very quickly!

I wish I knew what variety they are. My SIL gave me a bag full of runners years ago and smiled...

I don't do anything after harvest or in Fall.
In early Spring I just break out last years canes, nip the thin canes at the ground (leaving about 3 per foot), and remove runners that pop up in the paths.
I highly recommend at least 5-6 foot wide paths!

There really are paths in there

 

[mothergoose]

It sounds great. I am so looking forward to someday having a patch like you. I hope I am patient enough to get there!
Thanks it looks great,
Christie

 

[lesa]

Just an idea- mothergoose. I bought raspberries very cheaply at our soil and water conservation program. Might look into in your area. I think I got 100 bushes for 20 bucks. They are just sticks with roots- but they grow fast! In my situation it is the deer more than the birds that are a problem...Enjoy!!

 

[mothergoose]

Oh thank you , i will definetly check into that.
Christie :coolsun

 

[Hattie the Hen]

Try to find someone locally who would like a bit of help with the spring thinning & tidy up. There are always a lot that start growing outside the allotted area & they are glad to have them removed. It's easy enough to dig them out as they are shallow rooted. Take a large plastic sack with you & place them carefully in there. when you get home place them in a bucket of water & plant as quickly as possible. Don't leave them to dry out. once planter keep well watered & mulch with some aged compost. If they look a bit floppy after a few days prune them by 50%. If you can dig them out before they fully break into leaf you should be OK.

I did this a few years ago & it worked perfectly.

Oh by the way I'm talking about the summer ones --I haven't ever grown the others.

Good Luck & may your harvest be large!


:rose Hattie :rose