Allotments 4 All

Planted some new canes and there is a huge empty space between them.  Presume it will be at least a year or two before this begins to fill out.  What can I plant in between the canes to use the space but not upset the roots.  What about broad beans? 

what type of raspberries?  are they summer or autumn fruiting canes?

If it's just this year I'd stick to lettuce... after that Chives have self seeded through my Autumn Bliss and neither seem to suffer for it...

Many thanks for your prompt responses

Quotewhat type of raspberries?  are they summer or autumn fruiting canes?

Actually there are six of each.

Lettuce sounds good, I like the cut and come again so it does not get particularly big.

hmmmm very interesting - I might try chives

the autumn raspberries will be quite large this year, as they fruit on this years growth.  (I assume you have or will cut the autumn ones back to the ground as they start to show growth?)

in my view, the lettuces would be best between the summer fruiting (which will be growing canes this year for fruiting next) as the autumn ones will start to shade them out later in the year.

don't put too much in between, else the lettuces will take up nutrients that the raspberries will need to establish


p.s. I LOL at the thought of "intergroping between raspberries"!!!

Whoops. used to be able to touch type but somehow going a bit mad these days.

I've put some onions in between my raspberries.  Never done it before, but I had loads of spare sets and seemed like it might work.  Will report back in 6 months.

Intergroping....had to smile meself.... ::)...I've an area of 5 x 7 mts...fair size bed.
Its the bottom part of the plot I took on last year...ajacent plot to the one I've had a few years now...Long Story...Today I decided to clear the area ...In doing so I've had no choice  but to dig out the autumn raspberries.....
So now you know ...why " intergroping raspberries" grabbed my attention...

Not only have fellow plotters grabbbed as many as as they can possibly carry...
most are just showing base buds....Now Is their a remote possibillity I/We could get a crop this year from the re-planted Rasps.?...
There are at least another 30 to dig out...I'm thinking ...leave them be...give the re- planted crop a chance to establish themselves...dig out the other half plot/area next year ?

i leave the questions with you fellow plotters...opinions realy welcome.. ;)

PS...ONE GUY WAS SO CHUFFED...I got a free pacet of ...Meteor Peas....
8 hrs labour....come on ...round of applause for " Ole DEN "....i WERE CHUFFED.. :)

yep, there is a good chance of a crop this year, firm them in well upon planting, and water them well. then they will need some water for the first year, but after that should be fine.
good idea on the '1/2 now. 1/2 next yr ' sketch. :)

Not much gropping between the canes today at the allotment, think we have all got a bit old for that, memories, memories.  :) :) :)  A good chat and a cup of tea are enough excitment nowadays.

Raspberry canes are very shallow rooting and also very hungry.

For the best results, whether Autumn or summer fruiting is to give them the best start, feed well, and keep weed free (including cropping between canes).

They grow very rapidly and will shade other plants as well.

This photo taken 21st June.
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I have stuck a row of shallots along my newly planted autumn raspberries. They are fairly clear of the single canes, are shooting already, and I guess they are going to mature in all that carefully manured and fertilised trench before the raspberries are seriously tall.

You can plant primroses and daffodils amongst autumn fruiting. They grow and flower before the rasps are up, capturing  early spring sun and turning it in to plenty of leaf which dies dow and feeds the rasps. Primrose flowers are edible too. Wild ransoms would also probably work, but I haven't tried that combo myself.

One of our plot neighbours has dwarf red tulips. They look beautiful.