Raspberry Varieties: What To Look For
So you’ve made the decision to plant some raspberries. However, which kind do you think will serve you most effectively? The answer to this question will mostly depend on the local weather as well as your own preferences. It’s possible that you like organic foods. Perhaps you are interested in preserving or freezing a substantial portion of your produce. You also have the option of forgoing the enormous harvest in favor of a crop that is grown in the autumn. Growing your own raspberries, no matter which kind you choose can be a really pleasant experience.
Raspberries for Northern and Southern Climates
Even if you reside in a location that has severe winters and strong winds, there is a good chance that you will still have microclimates that are conducive to growing raspberries. For instance, you may have a slope that faces south, which means it gets more sunlight and hence accumulates less snow than an adjacent slope that faces north. You might also have a location that receives a lot of sunlight but is shielded from the effects of wind by a structure or the natural topography of the area. It is essential, however, to choose plants that are adapted to colder temperatures in the north, regardless of the particulars of the microclimate in your garden.
Raspberries that produce fruit in the summer need to overwinter. “Macbeth,” “Jewel,” and “Bristol” are three of the finest cold-hardy kinds for growing black raspberries in zone 4, and they may even be grown well in zone 3 if they are planted on a south-facing hill. “Nova,” “Encore,” and “Prelude” are three varieties of raspberry that produce red berries, while “Royalty” and “Brandywine” are two cold-resistant varieties that yield purple berries.
The golden-fruited “Anne” variety, as well as the red raspberry variants “Caroline” and “Jaclyn,” are fall-bearing cultivars that are hardy to zone 4 and can withstand freezing temperatures.
The vast majority of fall-bearing raspberry varieties may be successfully cultivated in a southern environment with just a little amount of winter chilling. However, if plants do not experience sufficient cold, the majority of the types will only provide a lesser harvest. On the other hand, if the temperatures during the summertime are too high, raspberries will halt the process of photosynthesis. As soon as this process is halted, they are at risk of rapidly becoming ill and passing away. Make sure the canes get some afternoon shade so you can shield them from the scorching heat of the sun. Row coverings that are lightweight are another option for providing shade. In the event that the temperature is excessively high, you may mist the row covers with water using a hose.
Those who live in zone 7 will find that “Barberry” and “Oregon 1030” are two types that can withstand heat better than others.
Thornless Raspberries
Breeders are continually working on developing thornless varieties of raspberries. When selecting a plant, it is best to go with a more recent variety, even if this means paying a somewhat greater price for the plant. The most recent varieties are more resistant to disease and produce bigger berries. The cost is justified since the newest types are built to endure for many years.
Planting and caring for thornless raspberries is exactly the same as planting and caring for conventional raspberries. In general, they have the same requirements for care since, with the exception of the lack of thorns, they are fundamentally the same.
Should You Get Organic Raspberry Plants?
Your reasons for wanting to plant raspberries in the first place should guide your decision on whether or not to cultivate organic raspberries. It is not necessary to spend a premium price for an organic plant if your only goal is to cultivate your own food garden and you are operating on a limited financial budget. If, on the other hand, you want to cultivate raspberries for the purpose of selling them, you should know that organic raspberries command a higher price.
If you are thinking of cultivating organic raspberries and selling them, you need to get in touch with the agricultural extension office in your area first. The National Organic Program lays forth the guidelines that must be fulfilled in order for a food product to be labeled as organic. If you are unable to demonstrate that both the plants and the soil meet the requirements for organic status, you will be unable to label your berries as organic under current legislation. The testing of the soil in a laboratory is often required, and the results may need to demonstrate, depending on the state, that no insecticides, pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers, or other types of chemicals are present in the soil.
Keep in mind that in order for whatever you put in the soil to be considered organic, it must first be certified as such. If you mulch the canes with sawdust or other substances, everything will need to be lab tested and certified organic before it can be applied. This is the same whether you mulch the canes with manure or compost, or mulch the soil around the canes. If you subsequently find out that the grass was fertilized with a non-organic chemical, doing something as easy as adding chopped grass to your compost might be a nightmare for you if you apply it to your organic canes and then apply it to your organic canes. You won’t be able to harvest organic berries from the damaged canes for at least three years, and maybe even longer. In addition, you should make sure that your canes are not planted next to any fields that are being treated by having pesticides sprayed on them. All of your hard work can be undone if the spray drifts in the wrong direction.
You are certain to be rewarded with any kind of organic, summer-bearing, ever-bearing, red, black, purple, or golden raspberries that you decide to purchase.
