Right fruit, wrong place AGAIN - that's why I'm praying for third-time lucky

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ONE big mistake I made in my experimental fruit/herbaceous border front garden was planting autumn-fruiting raspberries there.

 

I had planned for them to be trained round in a circle - no such luck. The canes spread on long runners in whatever direction they please, leading to a look like brambles have taken over. A lesson learned.

 

Between November and March is the best time to plant/ replant them and prune them back to the ground. They're shallow rooted, so it's not difficult to move them.

 

it's just as well, as I've had to move them for the third time (along with long-suffering cherry Regina) to shoehorn my greenhouse into the garden.

 

Raspberries like moisture-retentive, fertile, slightly acidic soils, which is a pain if you live in a hard water area like me and need to water them - use rainwater instead.

 

Plant in a sheltered, sunny position; although they will tolerate part shade. The fruit can be bought as bare-root canes (cheaper) or in containers.

 

Space plants 45-60cm (18in–2ft) apart, then add a 7.5cm (3in) thick mulch of bulky organic matter.

 

In containers, plant three to a 30cm (12in) pot, using a loam and multi-purpose potting compost mix. Make sure plants are well fed and watered during summer.

 

In early March, apply slow-release general fertiliser and mulch with well-rotted organic matter.