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Since my first experience with raspberries, we have moved to the city and space is at a premium but the thought of growing raspberries was always on my mind. Then one evening around the BBQ with friends Val and Gerry, they mentioned "we have a ton of raspberries in our small backyard" and that got me thinking.......
As the ground began to thaw I dug a trench for the new "tenants" - removing grass and stones behind my shed, a space that I don't use or see. I mixed in some farm manure compost with the native soil a planted them about 2' apart. During the first year they grew but did not produce any fruit.
The following spring the plants took off and looked very healthy but it wasn't until August a second generation of growth shot up 3 feet and produced a massive amount of berries. We are now in mid-September, the weather is still nice around mid 20 deg C, and we are picking raspberries.
I would recommend a dark-red berry called "Boyne" that's Canadian, eh? Originated in 1960 at the Morden Research Centre in Manitoba as a cross between Chief x Indian Summer varieties, it is hardy in zones 3 to 6 and is a great producer of large fruits. It likes full sun if possible and should be fertilized after planting and in early summer.
I use compost "tea" - a mixture of farm compost and water that has been steeped. This organic fertilizer will provide your plants with a healthy dose of nitrogen, phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium and other nutrients to keep your plants green and productive. Grow raspberries, my friend.
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