Autumn-fruiting raspberries are a sweet and tangy treat. They grow well in gardens, allotments, or even on patios in containers. Raspberries like ‘Polka’ and ‘Autumn Bliss’ start giving fruit the same year you plant them.
The key is to prune them right. Just cut their canes to the ground after you’ve picked the fruit. This care method allows late summer to autumn raspberries every year. It’s simple and perfect for those new to gardening.
Key Takeaways
- Autumn-fruiting raspberries like ‘Autumn Bliss’ are easy to grow and produce fruit in their first year.
- These berries are simple to prune, just cut the canes to the ground after harvesting.
- Autumn Bliss raspberries are suitable for growing in gardens, allotments, and even patio containers.
- They offer a long harvest season, with fruit ripening from late summer through autumn.
- Autumn Bliss is an excellent choice for beginner fruit growers.
Introduction to Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Raspberries are juicy, sweet, and easy to grow. They are a favourite in the summer. You can grow them in any garden size or even in pots if you pick a compact type. There are two main kinds – those that bear fruit in the summer and those that fruit in autumn. If you plant both, you can pick fresh raspberries for months.
Qualities of Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Autumn-fruiting raspberries are smaller and not as vigorous. They usually grow to about 1.2–1.5m (4–5ft) tall. They give fruit from late summer to autumn. These plants are easy to trim and fit well in small spaces. Plus, new autumn bliss raspberries plants will produce fruit already in their first year.
Benefits of Growing Autumn Bliss Raspberries
For new gardeners, autumn fruiting raspberries are a great start. They are easy to care for and provide fruit from late summer to autumn. Their small size and long harvest window are perfect for any space. You can grow them in gardens, allotments, or even on a patio.
Choosing the Right Autumn Bliss Raspberry Variety
When you want to grow tasty autumn bliss raspberries, picking the right type is key. There are many raspberry varieties to choose from. Each has its own special traits. You might want award-winning raspberries, compact raspberry plants, or dwarf ones for small gardens. Whatever your need, there’s an autumn bliss raspberry for you.
Award-Winning Autumn Bliss Raspberry Cultivars
Looking for a reliable choice? Go for autumn bliss raspberry types that won the RHS Award of Garden Merit. These varieties, like ‘Polka’ and ‘Autumn Treasure’, have shown they provide great fruit and keep doing well.
Dwarf and Compact Autumn Bliss Raspberry Varieties
For tight spots like small gardens or pots, pick compact raspberry plants. ‘All Gold’ and ‘Ruby Beauty’ are great ones. These dwarf raspberry varieties bring the rich flavour of autumn bliss raspberries to small spaces.
Site Selection and Soil Preparation
Finding the perfect spot and getting the soil ready is key for Autumn Bliss raspberries. They need fertile, well-drained, and slightly acidic soil. This type of soil, with a pH of 6.5 to 6.7, holds moisture well. But, they don’t like shallow or waterlogged soil, especially in the winter.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Autumn Bliss Raspberries
A sunny spot is a must for your raspberries to thrive. They can live in light shade but won’t bear as much fruit. Plant your raspberries in rows from north to south. Doing this stops them from casting shade on each other. Try to find a sheltered site. This stops strong winds from harming the fruiting branches.
Improving Soil Drainage and Fertility
Getting rid of perennial weeds is important before planting the raspberries. You might struggle to control them later on. For better drainage, think about planting in raised beds. Adding well-rotted manure or compost is also a good idea. You should add at least a bucket of it per square metre/yard. Using a high potassium fertiliser will give your raspberries the nutrients they need.
How to Plant Autumn Bliss Raspberries
To grow tasty Autumn Bliss raspberries, you must plant them correctly. Raspberries can grow in the ground or in pots if they’re smaller. The best time to plant them is autumn. This is when the ground is warm, but the plants are asleep. Yet, you can also plant them from November to March, as long as the earth isn’t hard from frost.
Planting Bare-Root or Containerised Canes
There are two types of plants you can pick to start your garden. Bare-root plants are cheaper and quick to start growing. Or, you can go for plants that are already in containers, which are easier to plant. No matter what you choose, make sure they go in the ground at the right depth and space for the best growth.
Spacing and Depth for Planting Autumn Bliss Raspberries
You should plant your raspberries in neat rows. Leave 45–60cm (18–24in) between each plant and 1.8m (6ft) between the rows. Don’t plant them too deep; the top roots should just touch the soil, around 5cm (2in) deep. Look for a mark on the stem to help you know how deep. Then, put a 7.5cm (3in) mulch layer over the soil to keep it moist and stop weeds.
Autumn raspberries usually stand up on their own and don’t need help to grow. Yet, just after planting, it’s best to cut them down to 25cm (10in) high.
Supporting and Training Autumn Bliss Raspberry Plants
Cultivating Autumn Bliss raspberries well needs good support. This helps them grow better and be more fruitful. Raspberries grow in rows. They require posts and wires set up in a certain way to stand up and give the plants what they need.
There are two main ways to support types like Autumn Bliss. The first is to use a single fence system. For this, put strong, tall posts at each end of your row. If the row is long, add more posts every 3.6m (12ft). Connect three wires across these posts, 60cm (2ft) apart. Plant your raspberries and guide the stems along one side of the wires as they grow.
You could also try another method, using fences with parallel wires. This way has posts, like the single fence system, plus a second set of wires. With these, you guide the current year’s fruiting canes on one side and the new canes on the other. This keeps your raspberry patch neat and makes pruning easier.
Using any support system, make sure the wires are firm and the plants are secured as they grow. This stops them from getting mixed up and hurt. The right support helps your Autumn Bliss raspberries do well year after year, giving you lots of great fruit.
Watering and Mulching Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Raspberries, like the tasty ‘Autumn Bliss’ type, need water to stay green and grow yummy fruit. When it’s dry, and they are flowering or making fruit, they need extra care. Water them at the roots to avoid wetting the leaves and causing diseases.
Watering Requirements for Autumn Bliss Raspberries
If you’re growing Autumn Bliss raspberries in pots, make sure they don’t dry out. Keep the soil damp all year to help your plants thrive and produce lots of fruit.
Benefits of Mulching Autumn Bliss Raspberry Plants
Putting a thick layer of mulch, like old compost, around your raspberries in spring is smart. It holds water in the soil, so it doesn’t dry too fast. Plus, it stops weeds. Just remember, don’t cover the stems completely, to keep them healthy.
Feeding and Fertilising Autumn Bliss Raspberries
In early spring, I give my Autumn Bliss raspberries a boost of potassium. This could be Vitax Q4 or fish, blood and bonemeal. I use about one and a half handfuls per square metre/yard. I sprinkle it around the plant’s base.
If the raspberries aren’t looking too strong, I add sulphate of ammonia. It’s 30g (1oz) per square metre/yard. Another option is dried poultry manure pellets, at 90g (3oz) per square metre/yard. For raspberries in pots, I feed them with a liquid fertiliser monthly during the growing season.
Pruning Autumn Bliss Raspberry Plants
Pruning keeps Autumn Bliss raspberry plants healthy and productive. Using the right method, your raspberry patch can do well year after year.
Pruning Newly Planted Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Right after you plant the canes, cut them down to 22cm (9″). This makes strong new shoots grow from the base. It’s key for a big harvest later on.
Annual Pruning for Established Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Next year, simply cut all canes to the ground by February. This tough love keeps your raspberries healthy and strong.
When spring comes, your plants will start to grow again. Make sure the row bed is 75-90cm (2½-3′) wide. Remove any extra shoots, and space out the rest 8-10cm (3-4″) apart.
Harvesting Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Varieties like ‘Autumn Bliss’ give a lot of fruit from late summer till the frost comes. These sweet little berries will keep coming, letting you pick them for ages.
When to Harvest Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Raspberries from ‘Autumn Bliss’ will ripen from late August to October. This long harvest time means lots of fresh raspberries for you. Watch the plants closely and pick the fruit when they pop off easily.
Protecting Autumn Bliss Raspberry Fruits from Birds
When raspberries start to show, birds might want to eat them. Cover your plants or put up a fruit cage to keep the birds away. Doing this will save your tasty harvesting autumn bliss raspberries and keep them coming for a while.
Preserving and Storing Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Getting a big harvest of Autumn Bliss raspberries is delightful. It lets me keep savouring their sweet-tart taste long after they’re grown. The process to preserve and store these berries is simple and keeps their goodness for months.
Freezing Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Freezing adds extra life to my Autumn Bliss raspberries’ freshness and taste. I choose the ripest ones and put them straight into the freezer. No need to wash unless you must.
I lay them out on a tray first. This makes sure they don’t stick together when I freeze them. After they’re firm, I pack them into bags or containers and place them back in the freezer to keep for months.
Making Jams, Curds, and Jellies with Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Having more Autumn Bliss raspberries than I can eat fresh is no problem. I like to use them to make jams, curds, and jellies. This way, the taste of my own berries lasts all year. I like to try different recipes. Often, I coat the raspberries in sugar for an added sweet touch.
Common Problems and Solutions for Autumn Bliss Raspberries
Raspberries, like Autumn Bliss, are robust plants. They can face issues from pests and diseases that affect their health. Common troubles include autumn bliss raspberry problems, raspberry plant diseases, and dealing with raspberry pests.
The raspberry beetle is a big problem. This small insect eats the fruit. Watch your plants closely. Use fine mesh nets to protect them or try the natural insecticide, neem oil.
Raspberry cane blight is another issue. It’s a fungus that makes canes die. Choose the right site, prep the soil well, and prune often. If blight happens, cut out the bad canes fast.
Root rot can attack in wet soils. Make sure your planting spot drains well. Add compost or lift the beds to boost soil quality and air.
Being alert and dealing with problems quickly is key. Good care leads to a great Autumn Bliss raspberry harvest. Keep an eye on your plants. Act fast against sicknesses and pests to keep them strong.
