The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Berry nice
The methods of growing raspberries have changed since John’s childhood days berry picking, but they are as popular as ever
Raspberries were so popular that it seemed sensible to extend the season by bringing in early varieties under tunnels, as well as autumn fruiting varieties, to have fruit well into October or even November
My first experience of fresh raspberries goes back to the early ‘50s, as this wee, scruffy lad joined a band of other kids from the new housing estate, St Mary’s, and headed into the countryside to pick some berries for which we would get paid a hefty price of a half penny for every pound picked.
Pickers came from Dundee, surrounding villages and there were many Travellers. Most of us got a few berries to take home for jam. Summer berry picking stayed with me until I was old enough to get a full-time job on leaving school, but the pleasures of the berry fields never left me so my garden always had a row of raspberries as well as some strawberries.
At first it was the tall Norfolk Giant variety but then along came Malling Jewel as an excellent main crop with a heavy yield. As time went on, these were replaced with the very popular Glen Ample but then, as the climate changed and summers got wetter, raspberries began to suffer the root-rotting disease phytophthora. This event changed everything. The east of Scotland had the perfect climate and soils for outdoor raspberry growing, but root rot was spreading rapidly so changes were needed.
Initially it was the custom to plant canes on the top of ridges to help drainage, but now raspberries are grown in large pots inside polythene tunnels with automatic drip irrigation.
It was recognised that the older varieties were very prone to root rots so a breeding programme was started to find more resistant varieties for commercial growers.
Raspberries were so popular that it seemed sensible to extend the season by bringing in early varieties under tunnels, as well as autumn fruiting varieties, to have fruit well into October or even November in a good year.
Autumn Bliss has had a great run for over 10 years but now newer varieties such as Polka and Autumn Treasure give us far bigger fruits and picking made easier, as the canes have no spines.
These autumn fruiting varieties also seem to be less affected by root rots and yellow rust so assist breeding better varieties.
However, it is not just about disease and larger fruit, as flavour is just as important before a new variety is
released. Glen Fyne and Glen Dee have good berry size, good disease resistance and excellent flavour, so are perfect for home gardeners as well as commercial growers.
Raspberries are still grown in rows in the garden, but make sure the ground is well drained.
As they will be left for 10 years or so, it is worthwhile double digging a metrewide strip along the row, incorporating plenty of compost to both subsoil and top soil.
Plant the canes in the dormant season, about one to two feet apart, and give a dressing of fertiliser to get them started.
They will need strong posts with two wires to attach the canes to once they are two years old.
Summer fruiting raspberries fruit on canes produced the previous year, then, in winter, these are cut out and the new canes tied in with a running knot to prevent the canes moving in windy conditions.
Autumn fruiting varieties fruit on canes grown the same year, so after harvesting these canes are totally removed and fresh canes will grow the following spring.
The main pest is raspberry beetle maggots which mainly affect summer fruiting varieties, but sprays and hormone traps are available.
The main disease of root rots affects older varieties so use disease-resistant types. Raspberry yellow rust can also be devastating on some varieties, though newer varieties have some tolerance.
If the rust is not too severe, remove affected leaves in spring and burn them.