Raspberries

Raspberries are traditionally a mid-summer fruit, 

but due to developments in growing techniques and readily available transport they can be obtained throughout the year.  Here at Q Gardens, we still firmly believe that the best raspberries come straight from the canes, and have few food miles.

Unless pruned, raspberries can spread rapidly and become quite unmanageable.  Most canes start producing a decent crop of fruit on their second year.  So if you are growing them at home, don't get too disheartened if your canes don't produce a lot in their first year in the soil.  Raspberries should not be planted where potatoes, peppers, aubergines, tomatoes or bulbs have previously been grown as this can have a detrimental effect on the quality of the plant and can cause a disease called Verticillium Wilt.

Raspberries are ripe when they have turned a deep colour and can be pulled off their stalk, known as the torus, easily.  Any fruit that does not readily come off when pulled should be left to ripen in the sunshine for a little longer. 

Unlike strawberries, raspberries freeze very well.  It's a great treat in the winter to get a few raspberries out of the freezer and put them on your breakfast cereal.  

Have a look at the BBC Raspberries webpage for information on the cultivation of raspberries, and this page, BBC Recipes, give lots of ideas on how to serve them!

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