So far, they have hardly been found in German gardens, the black raspberries. These raspberry varieties from North America have some advantages. Reason enough to plant black raspberries in your own garden.

Origin of black raspberries

Black raspberries are still relatively unknown in our latitudes. The varieties with the deep black, sometimes dark purple fruits come from North America. There they occur in uncultivated form.

Benefits of black raspberry varieties

  • No raspberry beetle infestation
  • No offshoots
  • Easy picking due to cone formation
  • Very even fruit
  • Hardy plant

Plant black raspberries in the garden

The site conditions and soil requirements are similar to those of summer raspberries and autumn raspberries.

Very large, almost artificial-looking fruits grow in a sunny spot. Make sure the soil is loose.

However, the shrubs tend to develop into very vigorous plants. The planting distance in the row should therefore be at least 80 centimetres, even better one metre. A row spacing of at least 1.50 meters is recommended.

Harvest time for black raspberries

The harvest time begins at the end of June and, depending on the variety, extends into July.

The black fruits are often covered by a slightly gray veil. This is not mold!

When harvesting the black raspberries, be sure to wear gloves and long-sleeved clothing. The rods have many thorns that can cause painful injuries.

Slicing black raspberries

Like summer raspberries, black raspberries produce fruit on two-year-old wood.

Immediately after harvesting, the harvested shoots are cut back completely down to the ground.

In the fall, a grooming cut is carried out, during which excess canes are thinned out. The shoot tips should also be shortened somewhat.

Care of black raspberries

The very long growing shoots are a distinctive feature of the black raspberry. They grow up to four meters long and have plenty of spines.

The rods must be attached to a trellis so that they do not hang on the ground.

Alternatively, place the canes on top of each other so that they form a dense raspberry hedge. However, it is then more difficult to pick the fruit.

Propagation of black raspberries

Black raspberries do not form runners. They are multiplied by lowering the shoot tips.

To do this, in the fall, put some tips from the canes on the ground and cover them with ripe compost.

In spring, new plants develop from the tops. Once several pairs of leaves have grown, the seedlings can be separated from the mother plant. Plant them out in a sunny spot by autumn at the latest.

tips and tricks

If you want to grow an impenetrable hedge, black raspberries are ideal. The long rods grow so long and dense that nobody can get through. They do not form any spurs, so they can also be used as a raspberry hedge to separate them from the neighbors.

Category:

Vegetable garden