Raspberries
Soil preparation
~ Always plant in fresh soil with well composted matter added. Do not
plant where Raspberries have grown recently. If this is the only place
you have to plant, change the soil at least top 20 cm (8”) depth. Raspberries
need the best possible drainage like a raised bed. This doesn't need
to be very wide 60 x 30cm (2’ x 1’) high is adequate.
While planting do not allow bareroot plants to dry out, keep moist and
covered. Plant approximately 60cm (24”) apart. If you would like large
plants quickly, plant 2 per hole. Cover roots by no more than 5cm (2”)
of soil. Add Bone Meal right on the roots. Using Gypsum in the top layer
of soil has been proven very beneficial. Old manure may be incorporated
into soil mix but must be thoroughly mixed.
Posts 7.5cm x 2.1m (3” - 4” x 7’) pointed and treated~ Place posts every
8m (25’). If the row is long use angle braces on end posts using 5 x
10cm x 35cm (2” x 4” x 16”) long. Make a “T” bar on the top of each
post at about 1.2m (4’) above ground. Install one soft wire down each
side of “T” bar.
For July bearing varieties keep up to 12 strong canes for next year.
After fruiting in August, cut out those that have fruited only. Tie
in bundles of 2 or 3 with string in February and cut to 15cm (6”) above
wire. Fall Bearing: Cut all canes to ground level in December/January.
*They bear on same years growth. **Fall bearing does not require post
& wire.
Plants in spring may have fertilizer “Fruit Tree and Berry Food” applied.
*Berry Food is good as it also contains minor elements. Sprinkle two
large handfuls per plant evenly and work in with a rake.
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Strawberries
All fruit plants
need well drained soil. Even a slightly raised bed will help about 60cm
(24”) wide by 20 - 30cm (8-12”) high. If there is a slope to the field
make sure that water will run easily between the rows.
Always plant in fresh soil amended with compost. If you must plant where
strawberries have been before, replace the top layer of soil. Manure
must be thoroughly incorporated several months before planting.
Plant rows at least 91cm (36”) apart. We are having success double planting
30cm (12”) between plants 30cm (12”) between rows. If you cut runners
that develop on plants, your plants will grow larger and you’ll have
much larger berries.
June Bearing we plant in late April ~ Usually good for 2 - 3 years.
They bear a full crop the year after planting. The second year we cut
the rows to about 45cm (18”) wide and apply a fertilizer in April. Use
“Fruit Tree and Berry Food” (4-20-24) it also contains minor elements
and incorporate a handful per plant and spread evenly.
Ever Bearing or Day Neutral we plant in April ~ We keep our plants for
1 year but they are still good for a second year. They bear a full crop
the year of planting. Try planting through a ground cover to help keep
out weeds. At times of planting be sure to apply a small handful of
fertilizer (4-20-24) per plant.
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Asparagus
Asparagus will
grow best in sandy or loamy type soil that is well drained with a P.H.
of 6.5.
Since most soils on the Island are acid, dolomite lime should be added.
If you want to use manure, it should have been added in the fall of
the previous year so that no fresh manure comes in contact with asparagus
roots. Asparagus should be planted in rows 1.2m (4’) apart. Open a shallow
trench 30cm (12”) wide by 15cm (6”) deep, loosen up bottom of trench
with a fork. If you are going to incorporate lime it’s a good time to
do it as well as a little bone meal. Make a small cone shape mound where
plant is going to sit so that you can dispose roots all around plant.
Plants should be 45 - 60cm (18 - 24”) apart, backfill slightly so that
the plant buds are covered by no more than 5cm (2”) of soil, water to
settle soil on top of roots. It’s a good idea to place a bamboo stake
near each plant to mark its location. As shoots develop backfill trench
gradually. Harvest should start only 2 years after planting.
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