When it comes to growing small fruit plants, raspberries are one of the easiest growers. They provide an impressive harvest and they’re freezable, giving you a constant supply of berries all year round! These versatile berries are easy to pick, low in sugar, cold and heat tolerant, self-pollinating, thornless and are a great source of nectar for bees. If raspberry jam, smoothies, pies, salad and yogurt toppings are on your menu, growing raspberries is going to save to some money and time at the grocery store. In this article, we’re going to help you with what you need to know to get started on your very own raspberry bush this year.
About Raspberry Plants
With over 200 varieties, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to raspberry plants. Raspberries belong to the Rosacea family and are believed to be native to Turkey but can now be spotted growing wild all over the world, including Canada, the USA and Europe.
Types of Raspberries
There are two main categories of raspberry plants to consider when planting. The plant you choose will depend on when you are looking to harvest your raspberries and how much.
1. Summer-fruiting – Also known as summer-bearing raspberries, grow fruit on the canes that grew last summer. If you plant your raspberries this year, you can expect raspberries the following summer.
2. Ever-bearing – Also known as fall-bearing raspberries, grow fruit on canes from the summer of the same year. If you plant raspberries this year, you can expect raspberries this autumn.
If you’re someone who wants fresh summer fruit, summer-fruiting raspberries are a great choice for you. If you’re someone who would prefer lots of berries that are worth the wait, ever-bearing raspberries are your best choice. Though, if you ask around it is highly recommended to go with both! Giving you two harvests a year!
Varieties
With over 200 varieties, raspberries can be found in many colours and sizes. Most commonly found in shades of red, wildwood is happy to carry 19 varieties, some with unique shades of yellow, purple and even honey. You can browse through our selection here.
Grown in zones 3-9, each raspberry variety has its own preference. Typically, red and yellow raspberries prefer cooler climates with black and purple raspberries requiring a little more warmth to survive.
Sun: Although raspberries are willing to tolerate partial shade, they much prefer full sun with at least 6 hours of bright sunshine. The more sun you’re able to provide your raspberries, the more fruit you can expect to harvest!
Soil: Raspberries prefer well-drained soil that is rich in nutrients. If your soil is on the heavy-clay side, it would be best to use a raised garden bed to provide proper drainage. Before planting your raspberries, be sure to provide your soil with the proper nutrients by mixing a well-aged compost or general potting compost into your soil before planting. This is especially important, as raspberries need plenty of nutrients to bear fruit. The ideal pH for raspberries is 6.0 and 6.5.
How to Plant Your Raspberries
Have what it takes to grow your very own raspberry plants? We hoped so! Here are the steps you need to get your new raspberry plant rooted and ready to bear as most fruit as possible. Keep in mind that the best time to plant raspberries is in the spring while the soil is workable and the climate is ideal.
1. Find the perfect place for your raspberry plant in full sun with well-draining soil. It is recommended to plant your raspberries against a fence or wall for easier picking. For spacing, be sure rows 3-4 ft apart with 24 inches in-between plants.
2. Dig a hole the size of the root mass, minus 1 or 2 inches so that the crown of the raspberry plant sits 1-2 inches above the ground.
3. Place your raspberry plant in the hole and loosen the root ball. Cut tightly wound roots to promote better root growth in the new soil.
4. Cover your raspberry plant with well-fertilized soil, water well and cover with mulch to retain moisture.
When first planted, be sure to water often maintaining lightly moist soil avoiding waterlogging the root system. Approximately 1-2 inches a week.
Pruning & Care Tips
Avoid planting raspberry plants where tomatoes, peppers and potatoes have grown to reduce the risk of verticillium.
Expect your raspberries to expand and spread.
Summer-bearing raspberries: prune off old fruiting canes to promote new cane growth.
Ever-bearing: prune off old fruiting canes in the summer and again in the fall for 2 harvests. For one harvest, no pruning is necessary.
Watch for insects and be sure to treat infestations immediately. Insects to watch out for are Japanese beetles, Cane borers and Spider mites.
Keep your plants clear of debris to prevent contamination and disease.
With what we’ve gone over today, we’re confident you’ll be picking fresh berries from the garden in no time! Now all that’s left to do is find your favourite raspberry recipes. Happy planting and good luck this season!
It’s a new year and the world is ready for change! Whether it’s the kind of change that gets you moving, grooving or growing, the year 2022 is a fresh start for us all. If you’re looking for some inspiration for change in your garden this year, we’ve got your back. Let’s make this year’s garden your most impressive one yet with a few inspirational ideas to get you growing!
1. Conserve Water
If being more mindful of your consumption is something you’ve been considering, gardening offers many versatile ways to cut back not only on consumption but cost as well! A great way to save on your water bill is to use water from sources other than the hose. This year try one of the following alternative watering methods to take care of your plants and the planet.
Re-use old water from water bottles.
Use water retaining pots like terracotta pots.
Invest in a garden drip system that will allow for direct watering to your plant’s root system using less water without any waste.
Use a rain barrel to collect rainwater!
2. Attract Wildlife
Inviting wildlife into your landscapes and garden beds can be a great way to create a healthier ecosystem for your plants to grow stronger and healthier! Here are a few ways to gather more wildlife in your 2022 garden.
Introduce native plants to attract native species.
Look for bee-friendly or pollen-friendly plants to grow.
Attract birds with bird feeders, birdbaths and bird fountains.
Incorporate a freshwater source like a pond or fountain.
3. Plant Something New
Sometimes planting something new doesn’t always turn out and we can say that we tried. This year when it comes to planting something new, prepare for the best by trying some of these helpful tips.
Research your new plants to see what their optimal growing conditions are and if you’re able to provide them with the care they need.
Find a garden forum to see what other gardeners are saying when it comes to tips and tricks when growing your new plant.
Check your soil, this is where your new plant going to call home. To make sure they like their new home you will want to ensure your soil is healthy and suitable for your new plants.
Is it an easy or difficult plant to grow? Knowing the difficulty of your new plant will allow you to understand if you have enough time and resources for the plant to thrive.
4. Plan ahead
Sometimes it’s not until we see what someone else has to want it for ourselves. We experience this every year when spring comes and we wished we planted gorgeous tulips and ranunculus back in the fall, or when summer arrives and we missed out on scent of lilies because we didn’t plant any bulbs in the spring. To help you plan ahead, try..
Planning out your with a calendar, marking reminders of what needs to be planted and when.
Draw out your landscape on a piece of paper and map out where you want your seasonal blooms to appear, and consider layering.
Pre-order your favourite seasonal blooms to ensure you get them on time.
5. Propagate
Love what you have already? Spread the love by propagating. It may seem intimidating to propagate one of your beloved plants but in the plant world, it’s natural! Some plants even need to be propagated to grow stronger. This year focusing your skills on something you do well already could only help to grow to be an expert!
If you are cutting it close to Christmas without having finished your shopping list, you’re not alone. It’s the busiest time of year for a reason! If you’re on the move for some gift ideas for the gardener in your life, you’re almost there. Not only do we know gardeners need, but we also know what gardeners love!
TOP 5 GARDENER FAVOURITES
There is nothing like the moment you receive a gift that you have no use for. It’s awkward, it’s polite and it’s about to collect dust in your closet. This year make sure you’re spending your money on gifting someone something they’ll use. Below are our 2021 top products used by gardeners nationwide that are great for that special gardener in your life.
The perfect source of plant food for all gardeners. Bonemeal has been used since the dawn of agriculture. A long-term solution for reducing transplant shock and providing essential and organic nutrients throughout the growing season. Important for growing the healthiest of plants.
#1 IN BIRDING – SOLAR BIRD BATH FOUNTAIN PUMP
Solar Bird Bath Fountain Pump
A great addition to most small ponds, birdbaths or fountains. The brighter the sun, the better this fountain works. It`s easy to use. Simply place the fountain in the water and allow it to float. A few seconds after the sunlight hits the panels, the fountain will run. A joyful addition to any bird watcher’s yard.
A reliable favourite with fine flavoured dark green courgettes. Courgettes are hugely versatile and easy to grow. They need regular watering and picking for good crops. Some courgettes can be grown successfully in pots on the patio.
Rosemary has stiff stems with crisp, fir-like leaves and a strong, rich aroma. Dried leaves release more flavour if freshly crushed. Plant in full sun in the garden or a big container.
This hardy, drought-tolerant annual is easy to grow and self-seeds in the garden. The bright blue blooms on knee-high stems make a tasty and vibrant addition to summer salads and herbal tea mixtures – just pluck the petals and enjoy! Beautiful, delicious and easy to grow!
#1 IN TOOLS & SUPPLIES – NITRILE & NYLON GLOVES
TerraTuff Nitrile & Nylon Gloves
Dry, oily or wet condition gloves for every garden task. Breathable and Nitrile coated to protect you from punctures and abrasions. Take care of the gardener in your life by protecting them while they work!
NEED MORE?
Check out the latest episode of Get Up and Grow below, for more unique gift ideas for the gardener in your life. Too many to choose from? Give the gift of giving your gardener exactly what they want and need throughout the year with one of our new E-Gift Cards! Happy holidays to you and yours this season. Stay tuned for more from Blogs from Wildwood Outdoor Living in 2022!
It’s that time of year again, and our fresh-cut BC Christmas Trees are in! There are so many benefits to buying a real tree for the holidays. Not only does it save you storage space, but it also gives your home that fresh forest scent! If you’re eco-conscious like we are, you can rest easy knowing that Christmas Tree farming has been proven to help fight climate change. On top of that, purchasing from small, local businesses is a great way to boost your community’s economy! It is a win, win.
If you’re new to buying real Christmas trees or even if you’re a seasoned vet in the tree game, there are a few things we want to share with you when it comes to making that special selection. We’re here to help you decide which type of tree will be best for your home, and what to look out for when picking it out.
Tree Choices
Noble Fir
The noblest of all Christmas Trees! With a strong frame, amazing needle retention and well-spaced branches the Noble Fir is the most sought-after Christmas tree on the market. Shaped to stand tall, full, and easy to decorate. Enjoy coming home to the refreshing smell of the fresh outdoors with a Noble Fir Christmas tree. Be sure to get these while you can, they’re a huge favourite!
Nordmann Fir
If you are looking for something a little more unique this year, the Nordmann Fir is a great choice for you. Large dark green needles with a silver contrast underneath gives this thick, dense tree a lot of character. Its full base leads to trim and narrow points with shorter branches, creating a shape that was once considered the ‘Classic Christmas Tree’. Mildly fragrant, the Nordmann Fir is a great Christmas tree for those with allergies.
Fraser Fir
Tall, narrow, and compact, the Fraser Fir Christmas tree is the tree for small spaces. Its short and strong branches carry smaller soft needles that hold well and make for easy decorating! Not only does this tree bring home aromatics from the great outdoors, but it also has a hint of citrus! Be on the lookout for this tree with excellent needle retention and a blue tint on the underside of the needles.
Douglas Fir
If you love having a real Christmas tree for the beautiful fragrance it brings into your home, then a Douglas Fir is the tree for you. Having one of the best fragrances of fir and citrus combined, the Douglas Fir Christmas tree will help you recall warm holiday memories year after year. This soft green tree is easy on the eyes, and on the wallet as the most economical tree on the market!
Grand Fir
The Grand Fir is a beautiful tree to decorate with soft and dense needles! Adored for its perfect pyramid shape and extremely fragrant lemony scent, the Grand Fir Christmas tree is one of the most popular Christmas tree choices. With good needle retention to boot, you can throw out your scented holiday candles and fill your home with the fresh scent of the Grand Fir for weeks to come. To ensure the best bang for your buck, go with a Grand Fir Christmas tree that’s fresh-cut with no scaring on the bark at the bottom- this will ensure proper water intake for the holidays!
Charlie Brown
Since 1965, Charlie Brown’s decision to pick an imperfectly perfect Christmas tree for his Christmas play has taught us the true meaning behind Christmas. Christmas isn’t about what you get, or what you have. It’s about being together and giving back. Today our “Charlie Brown” Christmas trees are Douglas Fir trees that come just as they are, deserving the same amount of love as all the other trees, if not more. Charlie Brown: This little green one here seems to need a home. Linus Van Pelt: I don’t know, Charlie Brown. Remember what Lucy said? This doesn’t seem to fit the modern spirit. Charlie Brown: I don’t care. We’ll decorate it and it’ll be just right for our play. Besides, I think it needs me.
What to look for
When choosing your Christmas tree, it is important to consider a few things before grabbing the first one that catches your eye. Most importantly, you need to make sure that the tree is freshly cut. A fresh-cut tree is important as it contributes to the overall health and lifespan of the tree. Once you’ve spotted your Christmas tree favourite, try the following to make sure it will last the entire holiday season.
A healthy fresh-cut tree should retain moisture, making the needles strong and resilient. Not weak and dry. Pinch a needle from the tree between your fingers, forming a “U” shape. If the needle breaks or snaps, it may be a sign that the tree is not retaining enough moisture.
Another way to check for moisture retention is to lift the tree off the ground by a couple of inches from its trunk and let go of it, allowing it to land back to its standing position. If the tree drops a lot of needles, it is dehydrated and should be put back.
Check for healthy green colour and good fragrance. Healthy trees lose their fragrance and colour as they mature. The greener and more fragrant, the fresher!
For more tips and information on buying your Christmas Tree tune, in below for a few tips and tricks from our President Gord as he teaches Jasmine Bala from Chek News, how to pick the best Christmas tree this year!
Time flies when you’re having fun in the garden, doesn’t it? One minute you’re one with nature digging in the dirt, singing with the birds passing by and the next you’re cooped indoors brainstorming all that you look forward to planting in the next season. This December don’t throw in the towel until Spring. There is still plenty for us Gardeners to do! For a little inspiration, we’ve created a checklist for you to stay on top of your gardening game this December.
November Checklist
As always let’s make sure we’re caught up on our November’s to-do list before marking it off and moving along to December. Below we created a few good items to take care of in November that may or may not apply to you, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
Divide overgrown perennials and replant. No room? They make a good Christmas present in a pot for a gardening friend (make sure to tag them).
If you run your pond pump during the winter, raise it onto a ledge in the pond to recirculate only the top layer of water.
Start paperwhites and other indoor forcing bulbs for Christmas colour. They need approximately seven weeks to bloom.
Plant evergreens, perennials, containerized fruit & shade trees.
All your bulbs should be dusted with sulphur or bulb dust before storing them away.
Prune back Rose of Sharon and P.G. hydrangeas. Tidy up perennials.
Construct a compost bin and create your organic-rich soil with garden refuse and leaves. Use Rot-it to quicken the process.
There’s still time to apply dolomite lime to your lawn.
Tie up cypress and globe cedar trees so heavy snows will not destroy their shape.
December Checklist
Whether you have snow or not, our December checklist should keep you busy tying up a few loose ends this season, especially for those interested in holiday décor! Here are a few items to consider taking care of in-between your spring planting daydreams.
Mulch ornamental beds and cane fruits with composted manure.
Do not cut holly while the weather is freezing. This will make the berries black. Fresh evergreen boughs can be cut anytime to maintain a fresh supply indoors. Spruce, balsam and cedar boughs will last the longest.
Remember the birds. A food that most birds will eat is black oil sunflower seed.
Watch for the first Christmas rose (Helleborus niger) blossoms outdoor and Chinese witch hazel (Hamamelis Mollis) branches can be brought indoors for fragrant blooms.
Poinsettia care: Remember the 3 M’s. Moderate bright light, moderate watering and moderate temperature. Avoid access to hot or cold areas.
With proper care, a real Christmas tree should last 5 weeks or longer making the first week of December the perfect time to put up a real Christmas tree.
Remember to water the root ball and spray the branches with “wilt proof” to prevent excess drying. If the weather is severely cold after Christmas, acclimatize the tree by hardening off in stages.
There you have it, more for you to do in December if you’re looking to keep your green thumb growing or to keep you busy and out of the Holiday chaos! Happy Holidays from everyone at Wildwood Outdoor Living Centre. Stay tuned for more December gardening and Holiday ideas to come.
