Caring for remontant raspberries in autumn: pruning and fertilizing

Raspberries are renowned not only for their excellent taste, but also for their medicinal and restorative properties. Raspberries grow in almost every garden plot. People especially love to plant them. remontant raspberry varietiesThey produce a harvest several times per season, but for this to happen, remontant varieties need to be provided with the correct care and pruning in autumn.

Features of remontant varieties

Everbearing raspberries attract gardeners primarily because they can harvest at least twice a season. The first crop appears in late summer, and the next ripens in the fall. For beginners, pruning everbearing raspberries may seem like a rather laborious task. Generally, this is true. But proper care allows you to harvest the maximum number of berries.

The autumn harvest is usually of lower quality than the summer one. There is also another disadvantage, which is that the second time the raspberries take quite a long time to ripenThis is explained by a lack of vigor, as the plant devotes most of its energy to producing its first harvest. Sometimes autumn berries can be dry and lacking in juiciness.

Gardeners most often grow this variety as an annual plant. This method can yield a very good harvest. Everbearing raspberries are distinguished by their low maintenance requirements. They simply need proper winter protection and timely pruning of dried branches.

This variety is also very resistant to various diseases, fungal infections, and viruses. Pruning everbearing raspberries in the fall is a fairly simple procedure, easily handled by even a novice, making these varieties very popular.

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Historical background

According to official accounts, everbearing varieties began to be cultivated in Russia about 30 years ago, but people had known about them much earlier. About 200 years had passed since the first description of the raspberry, which was distinguished by the fact that flowers began to appear on one-year-old branches in August, which later turned into berries. These raspberry varieties were sometimes found in the southern regions of the country. A. Michurin developed the "Progress" variety, which, under favorable conditions, produced a small harvest even in the fall.

Unfortunately, until the late 1970s, no one in Russia had been involved in breeding everbearing plant species. Only Professor Kazakov was able to contribute to the development of this field.

The newest varieties are:

1. Eurasia.
2. Golden autumn.
3. Atlas.
4. Diamond.

Landing dates

In the Russian climate, it's recommended to plant everbearing varieties in the last week of September or early October. This timely planting will allow the plants to prepare for the winter cold. It will also allow the raspberries to begin vigorous growth in the spring months.

It's best not to carry out this procedure too early, as experts say that by early September, the plant's root system isn't fully formed. Because of this, the raspberry may simply fail to take root. Everbearing varieties are known for their ability to thrive in fairly harsh climates. fruiting remains at a high level.

Plants should be planted either in a straight row or as individual bushes. A minimum distance of 1 meter should be maintained between seedlings. The holes for the future bushes should be shallow. It is also advisable to treat the plants with special fertilizer. After planting, compact the soil thoroughly.

Features of pruning

Everbearing varieties are distinguished by their surface-dwelling root system. This necessitates increased attention to soil management.

To improve the quality and quantity of berries, regularly and timely apply complex fertilizers to the bushes. March is the best time. Superphosphates are best, but potassium sulfate can also be used. To prevent fungal diseases, treat the raspberries with Bordeaux mixture.

Raspberry bushes begin to produce berries approximately two years after planting. Sometimes, raspberries produce only one harvest per season, sometimes two. But the second crop is always of lower quality, so proper care must be taken. care recommendations For everbearing raspberries in the fall. Pruning is essential to prevent the bush from becoming overgrown.

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Age of the bush

Many gardeners believe that the first pruning of everbearing raspberries should be done when the plant reaches two years of age. If this is the final pruning, all branches that have produced a high yield should be cut off near the base. Young roots should also be removed.

If the variety is being planted for propagation, a thorough pruning is necessary. This involves removing all roots. This will improve protection against various pests and diseases.

The autumn period before the first frost is best suited for this operation. If not prune branches If you cut it to the ground, new shoots will not develop. Furthermore, the plant will lose its remontant properties, meaning it will not be able to bear fruit again.

In the fall, everbearing raspberries require special care—this will ensure that the yield remains high. All remontant varieties have three development phases:

1. Height.
2. Branching.
3. Fruiting.

All these phases occur in a single season, so raspberries need to be thinned several times a year. This allows the branches to receive sufficient nutrition and gain strength.

The timing of raspberry pruning for the winter depends on whether you want one or two harvests. If you plan to harvest berries twice, prune the branches in late autumn. It's also important to remember to remove only the shoots from which the fruit was harvested. If a single harvest is sufficient, the procedure can be performed earlier. In this case, the shoots should be cut almost to ground level.

Trimming technique

Pruning raspberries is a very important moment. It is necessary to act strictly according to the scheme:

1. First, remove both young and old branches. Carefully prune away dried shoots from which fruit has already been harvested. These should be cut right at the root. This will reduce the risk of infectious diseases and insect infestations.
2. Young shoots should also be removed, as they serve no function. Only strong shoots should be pruned, shortening them to 30 cm.
3. It's also important to prune the trunks to prevent the shrub from becoming too overgrown. It's important to leave a minimum gap between plants to allow them to grow comfortably.
4. Leaf removal. Raspberry care also includes leaf care. To avoid damaging the buds, do not pick them off. You can put on a glove and gently run your hand along the trunk – the old leaves will fall off on their own. Leaving them on is undesirable, as this will initiate rotting, which will damage the buds.
5. The bushes are bent down to the ground. After pruning and removing the leaves, the raspberries should be bent down. This will protect the upper parts from frost.

Preparing plants for winter

Preparing for winter is important Not only for raspberries, but for all fruit plants. Cold exposure affects flowering and fruiting times. Raspberries are a very finicky plant in this regard, requiring careful monitoring. Many gardeners overlook bending branches to the ground in preparation for frost. But this is absolutely necessary.

If the stems remain upright, there's a high risk of freezing. The shoots need to be kept under a blanket of snow.

To ensure the plant survives the winter well, it's essential to follow all care instructions. The bush's ability to withstand frost directly depends on its condition. For example, too much nitrogen can cause the raspberry to wilt during the winter.

Controlling overgrowth and mulching the soil

In addition to pruning, it's important to prepare the bushes for subsequent operations. Overgrowth of raspberries can be a major problem.

The unique structure of raspberry roots causes the shoots to constantly spread in all directions, so simple staking isn't enough. The branches will quickly fill the space between rows. To prevent this, you'll need to regularly prune the young shoots. This will prevent them from interfering with the growth of quality shoots. An excellent solution is to install a barrier made of sheet metal or slate.

Mulching will help maintain a balance of temperature and moisture, prevent the soil surface from crusting over, and allow the roots to adequately absorb oxygen. Mulch should be applied to a depth of approximately 7 cm. This should be done immediately after planting. For additional nutrition, mineral fertilizer is usually scattered between the rows in September. The mulch layer should be made of humus, straw, and sawdust.

Pruning raspberries can significantly increase the yield and quality of the berries. It also protects the plants from diseases and pests. Furthermore, raspberries will prevent them from becoming a weed that spreads throughout the garden.