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Best Autumn Raspberry?

FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
in Fruit & veg
I have space for 5 canes of Autumn raspberries. I’m looking at Joan J as it was my mother’s name(😁), however as nice as that is, I’ve never tasted them! So calling all raspberry growers.. what’s your favourite variety and why? 😁
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  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391
    Polka.  Highly reliable cropper with large tasty berries.  What's not to like?!  :)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    I’m looking at Ashridge nursery as they sell individual canes bareroot, (although I’ve not used them before other than bulbs) so may get a mix. Thanks Bob!
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 10,811
    Bob, I bought 6 Polka plants last spring. They didn't do much all year and I'm unsure whether I should cut down the stems or not now. Can you advise please? (Apologies to Flinster) 
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    That’s ok Lizzie! Polka is autumn fruiting and fruits on new wood. Canes should be cut sometime between Dec and Feb ( although you can cut half the canes and the remaining ones will fruit early like summer varieties while the cut ones fruit as usual- repeat as a cycle each year).
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,740
    Another vote here for Polka ... lots of large tasty fruits and no maggots ... perfick!  :)
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 7,708
    edited February 2019
    I have Polka too - delicious and 4 canes produce more than enough for 2 of us.

    They got their winter chop earlier this week😇
    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,762
    Are these the raspberry canes you were going to grow in pots, Flinster or have you found space in the ground? That might make a difference re people’s recommendations. My newly planted Joan J (chosen because they are more compact, thorn-free and allegedly tasty) are just peeking up above ground!
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,528
    I like Polka too.
    Cut to the ground around now. Give them a mulch and a bit of a feed between now and March.
    Pick in September.
    How easy is that?
    Good to freeze for winter puddings if you have too many.
  • FlinsterFlinster Posts: 883
    Nollie said:
    Are these the raspberry canes you were going to grow in pots, Flinster or have you found space in the ground? That might make a difference re people’s recommendations. My newly planted Joan J (chosen because they are more compact, thorn-free and allegedly tasty) are just peeking up above ground!
    Yes Nollie! I managed to rejig my layout so have a small bed for raspberries, although I might still get a Joan J..:) Thanks for all the feedback! Polka looks like a winner! Topbird glad 4 canes gives a good yield as wondered how worthwhile 5 canes would be- sound perfect for us! Although I’m not expecting miracles in the first year! 😀
  • NollieNollie Posts: 6,762
    Oh I’m glad you found the space, they will do so much better in the ground. They do seem to take a year or two to get going properly, tho, so patience required (not my strong point!). 
    Mountainous Northern Catalunya, Spain. Hot summers, cold winters.
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