Raspberries - Rubus idaeus

Raspberries date from pre-Bronze Age where legend has it that when the Greek gods went to Mt. Ida in Turkey they returned with raspberries. The delicate unique flavour, with the fragrant bouquet, still makes raspberries a favourite with fruit lovers today. An excellent fruit for home gardener. They are a top antioxidant food; high in fibre, vitamin C and folate. Best eating is fresh, picking the sweet delicate fruit straight off the canes. Any extra and soft fruit use in jam desserts, smoothies and sauces. Although you can never have too many raspberries especially with children., it is recommended to plant two plants per person. Most varieties fruit in December and January, but some ripen in February and March. Aspiring is a variety that fruits both in spring and autumn and comes highly recommended. 

They prefer a sunny position, but best not to plant in full afternoon sun, particularly in northern areas. They don't mind a bit of wind but they aren't very salt tolerant. Because they produce suckers, you'll want to plant in an area that you can contain, although if grass surrounds the area you can just 'mow' the young canes and this will stop spread. In some cases they are best grown in containers for this purpose.

They do need chilling hours, for fruitset, but if you can grow apples you can grow raspberries. If you're in a wamer, northern area be careful with your choice of variety. They like a rich, organic soil with good drainage.  They are hardy to -10°C.