Raspberry 'Summer Lovers Early'Rubus idaeus

Grow raspberry plants in a sunny position in any well drained soil. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the soil. The stems of summer fruiting raspberries will require support. Before planting, prepare a framework of wires stretched horizontally between two sturdy 1.8m (6’) posts. Autumn fruiting varieties will not require supports.

Plant raspberry canes in a row against the wire supports, allowing a distance of 60cm (24”) between plants. Water well.

Summer fruiting raspberries fruit on the previous season’s growth. Leave unpruned after planting. This cane will go on to produce fruit next summer, at the same time, new shoots will grow from the roots. Once fruit has been picked the original cane should be removed and the new shoots left to grow to produce fruit the following year. Autumn fruiting canes should be pruned to 15cm (6”) above ground level immediately after planting to encourage more shoots to be produced.

Water well for the first year until plants are fully established. Loosely tie the stems of summer fruiting raspberries in to their support wires as they grow. When berries begin to develop, place a net over the plants to protect the crop from birds. Apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the canes in spring. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer.

Summer fruiting: In autumn, prune the canes which have fruited over summer to ground level. Canes which have not fruited should be 'tied in' to their supports. Aim to have 6 to 8 fruiting canes per plant.

Autumn fruiting: Prune all raspberry canes to ground level each February.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

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For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.