[PaulF]

There are red raspberries, black ones and crosses between the two which have given us purple and gold raspberries. They are perennial. There are summer bearing (fruits one time per year), fall bearing (twice per year...spring and fall) and everbearing. Those that bear fruit once produce as much or more fruit as those that produce twice per year or the everbearing and the berries are larger. They can be thorny and thornless. The growth habit is either trailing (like a fountain) or erect (trellised).

Plant in full sun and can be planted in a wide range of soil types---sandy loam with high organic matter is optimal. Raspberries require good drainage and should be free of wild raspberries as possible for disease control. All wild raspberries are black and are native plants. Raspberries are also indigenous to Asia Minor.

The plants can be purchased in pots or as bare root. Bare root are much cheaper and do well most places. Summer bearing varieties fruit once per year and some popular varieties are: red- Killarney, Latham; black-Cumberland, Jewel; Purple-Brandywine, Royalty. Fall or Everbearing (2 crops/year) Red-Heritage, Autumn Bliss; yellow-Anne, Fallgold.

Raspberries like the soil on the acidic side of 7pH. Lightly fertilize with a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10. Reds generally like a hedge row with plants 2-3ft apart and a minimum of 8 feet between rows. Blacks and Purples, 3-4 ft apart and 10 ft between rows. Reds produce root suckers, blacks and purples do not.

The planting holes should be large enough so that the bare roots can be spread out. Potted plant holes should be 1 1/2 times the size of the pot. Plant no deeper than the original planting depth or to the original collar on the plant. Firm the soil around the plant so it is in upright position (it will grow the direction it is planted). Water in well forcing out water pockets. They need 1.5 inches of water per week all season.

Pruning is complicated and is an entire topic all its own. Harvest is possible the second year, but it is better to wait until the third. Pinch off blooms the first year for sure and the second if you can wait. If not, enjoy. The first year's canes are called primocanes (vegetative) and the second year canes are the floricanes (fruiting canes).

The fruit is very fragile and should be picked into a flat shallow bowl and refrigerated immediately or they will begin to lose shape and turn to juice.

More than you ever wanted to know I am sure...sorry.