Raspberries

Yesterday we thoroughly picked through the raspberry patch. We will probably have to do it again very soon, as a lot of berries are just almost there. Some if the canes themselves aren't looking as healthy this year but there are lots and lots of berries to pick!

Notice the little spider on the left berry!

Raspberries canes are biennials, meaning they have a two year life cycle. The first year, they sprout up and grow tall and green. In the first winter the leaves shed and all that remains is a woody cane that looks like a stick. The next spring they revive with new growth and this is when you get some fruit. 

New canes or "suckers" should have sprouted with this second spring as well. So you should have a constant supply of canes as long as they aren't killed off by something. DO NOT get any kind of weed killer anywhere near them (we've learned that the hard way). The next spring when new growth emerges on the canes (wait for it, otherwise you cut out alive ones too) just cut the ones that are not budding (dead canes) to the ground. This helps keep a healthy patch and keeps diseases at bay.

Look at all those berries!

If suckers are coming up in less than desirable spots, you can transplant them very carefully! I have found that most will live if you get some of the roots with it and give them plenty of water to get re-established. They will look sad for a few days, but after a while they should start to perk up. Don't give up on them too soon! You can also simply pull them if you don't want them (just be sure you have a few left somewhere).

While we were picking the raspberries we noticed some giant blueberries had ripened on one of our bushes! Tried to capture their size (sorry the pictures are slightly out of focus). The fruit is from a Patriot Blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum 'Patriot'.

 
We couldn't resist picking a small handful and eating them all up!

- Dan