Raspberries

[Borlotti]

Last year I cut everything down, including the raspberries, whether they were summer fruiting or autumn fruiting or whatever.  The raspberries have been very late this year, so I assume they are all autumn fruiting.  I have had plenty for jam and freezing etc. but they were a bit small and some of the fruit has gone mouldy on the stem, which I assume is the weather, very dry earlier on and now wet. I picked some punnets yesterday as I don't like waste, but think they may be past their best now.  Anyway washed them and thought they might be OK for jam, but on inspection I had a large collection of insects, whilst I don't mind the odd one, these were full of them, so I decided to chuck them. Also assume that they lose their taste later in the year, like blackberries.  As these have all fruited late, I assume it is correct to cut them all back Jan/Feb.  They are deciding to spread all over the allotment and the strawberries.  Never thought I would get fed up with raspberry jam, and have enough to give away.  So pleased the courgettes have finished.  Got a surplus of cooking apples and pears so better get cooking.

[Borlotti]

[antipodes]

I thought it would be a good year for raspberries but the early ones were nasty  because of lack of water and later ones got full of water and also a few bugs. On the whole not very successful.
Lucky you to have apples etc what I wouldn't give to have an apple or other fruit tree!

[Borlotti]

Just going to make some apple and pear sauce to freeze and some apple and pear crisp, like a crisp crumble, recipe off internet.  Brambley apple tree and conference pear at allotment 10 years old (cheap from Morrisons) have done well this year, have left some at the allotment for people to take as had too many for us.  Off topic, back to raspberries, I agree not a great year.