Status of Raspberry Plants in the Subtropical Urban Eden
Lusaka has been receiving occasional rains despite the prevailing drought in the region. These modest amounts of water and summer heat allow low-maintenance plants to flower, grow and fruit. Raspberry plants are thriving and need no extra water unless there is no rainfall for over a week. The challenges that come with the rainy season may include flooding. Water logging is minimised by not watering unless the ground is dry. Planting raspberry plants in well-drained soils. https://subtropical-urban-eden.garden/raspberry-season-in-the-subtropical-eden/.
Thinning raspberry plants
The raspberry plants will spread most during this season when the soils are soft. So, they need to be thinned by removing some new plants from the roots and planting them in new sites or pots. Thinning prevents the plants from taking over the entire garden and allows for the addition of compost when needed. Failure to thin the plants may result in smaller crops and fruit sizes with less flavour due to competition for water and nutrients.
Challenges of growing raspberries in the rainy season
The main challenge, however, is fruit rot if the canes are not supported off the ground. It is essential to support the fruiting canes with rope or to secure them in place if experiencing strong winds or heavy rain. We use other fruit trees to support our raspberry plants and cut down on labour by placing the pots adjacent to the trees.
Another challenge is the vanishing fruits eaten by slugs and snails. Raising the plant canes off the ground and eradicating slugs and nails will allow you to enjoy this season’s raspberries. https://subtropical-urban-eden.garden/managing-slug-and-snail-infestations/. Birds may also be a nuisance, but they prefer larger fruits such as figs and blackberries. Having a productive food forest will leave enough raspberries for you to enjoy. Summer raspberries are usually bigger, sweeter, and more flavourful than the winter crops. So, please make the most of this season’s harvested fruits for fresh eating, making desserts and freezing the raspberries for future use. #LoveHomeGrown.
