Container Gardening: Raspberries

(Raspberry plants at the end of April)

I have found that I don't do well when I get bare root raspberry plants. They are the ones that come in the small bag wrapped around a twig.

Hardier ones come in the pots with soil. Because they already have a good root system they do better in containers. They also start sprouting leaves sooner and yield raspberries faster.

I currently have 3 varieties: 2 normal red raspberries, 1 raspberry shortcake, and 1 black raspberry.

I was very skeptical at first of the raspberry shortcake because it was very expensive and there weren't any fruit on it the first year. It was a big investment for a plant that may or may not have lasted through the winter. However, I'm a believer now. The bushier raspberry plant in the picture above is the raspberry shortcake! It is bigger than even the raspberry plant that in it's 3rd year.

(Raspberry, Raspberry, Raspberry Shortcake, Gooseberry)

Growing Tips:

For container gardening, it's important to prune back the branches after they have fruited. Raspberries only fruit on 2 year old branches. This means that when  you are pruning, make sure to leave the hardier branches alone. 

My pruning trick is to prune back the thinner frailer branches, but to leave the longer stronger branches. 

Raspberries will look like they are dead over the winter. Don't, I repeat Don't prune them in the Spring. Give them time to figure themselves out. They will surprise you at how hardy they are :)

You can definitely can see the difference between the March and April pictures.

P.S. The red stuff on the soil is hot chilli powder to deter the racoons and cats ;)

(Raspberry Shortcake in the beginning of March)

(The 2 regular red raspberries)

(The 2 regular red raspberries)

(Black Raspberry)

mmmmMMMMmmm... Black Raspberries. One of the best things about growing your own fruit the new varieties you can find at the garden stores....