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Raspberry Canes

bobloesbobloes Posts: 134
in Fruit & veg
Hi All,

I planted summer and autumn raspberry plants a couple of years ago and have had lovely fruit but I did not realise just how invasive they are.  They are in my open vegetable plot and I have decided to put raised beds in this year.  I have now dug up the plants and they are in pots at present awaiting the final solution.  Am I correct in thinking that there is no real way to keeping them in control as the runners(?) will just do their thing?  Hence they can come up in any of the beds.  Would putting them in large containers be worthwhile?  I am not keen as I prefer not to have the watering problem associated with containers.  There is a long, bare, west facing wall available but the roots are still going to be in the soil.  Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks
Bob

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,941
    If you google "vertical root barrier" you'll find some solutions which will keep your raspberries in their allotted space.  A bit pricey though... I'm not sure if you could use builder's plastic, the heavyweight stuff, buried vertically in the ground instead.

    In theory you can grow raspberries in big containers, but the yield will be much less, even if you can keep up with the watering...
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,327
    The raised beds should help, raspberries are shallow rooted. you will have to be more ruthless in future, any what creep to far need the chop. I dig some wood borders in a couple of weeks ago to stop the going into next doors, hopefully it will work.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,941
    @Perki, I used deep lawn edging sunk into the soil to try to restrain my raspberries.  It didn't work... I've just found an allotment website which recommends an 18" deep barrier to stop the roots spreading.
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,327
    Looks like my neighbour going to have some raspberries  then  :/ 

    Todmorden not so far from me its only over the hill, have you been Gordon riggs lately ? keeping getting more and more expensive in opinion.


  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,941
    Riggs is indeed much more expensive, Perki.  They don't grow a lot of their own stuff any more, which is a shame - the lady who orders and sows the seeds is a friend of mine.  
    IMO they are trying to go too up-market, which doesn't seem very sensible to me given their customer base.  It's got a lot more expensive since I worked there, from 2006 to 2013.  I like to go for a natter with former work mates, and for a look at the reduced table... though the full priced plants are very good quality, and you can still get a bargain if you know what you're looking for.   :)
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,327
    Its still good for a look around, I get my bulbs / dahlia etc from there still and I have a nosy around. Like you said not everything expensive but the plants in the glasshouses are dear than everywhere else. I go Springwood nursery for most of my stuff now at the top of townley park, a new GC has just opened today 5 min walk from me today I will venture down tomorrow I think. 
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,941
    I went to Springwood for the first time a couple of weeks ago.  Not very well organised, but great prices.
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
  • bobloesbobloes Posts: 134
    Thanks Liri and Perki for the advice and I did google it.  Makes me think it is going to be a bit like herding cats!!!  As it happens I am not afraid of digging (my back is complaining as I say it) and I only have to go about 30 cms before I get to sub level clay which I am hoping will not be very attractive for the runners.  Love the way you two hijacked my question into a lovely local discussion.  Terrific!!  xx
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 7,941
    Sorry about the hijack, bobloes... at least you got answers to your questions, anyway!   :)
    "The one who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life."  Rabindranath Tagore
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