Summer-bearing raspberry. Raspberry 'Willamette' produces consistent, heavy crops of sweet, dark red, medium-sized berries, offering a delightful early harvest in June and July. These berries are perfect for enjoying fresh off the bush or using in homemade jams, jellies, and pies. It grows to a height of 150 cm (59 in) with a spread of 50 cm (20 in). All of our raspberries are thoroughly inspected and certified by the Ministry of Agriculture to ensure they are free from pests and diseases. The bare root plants are meticulously hand-graded and selected before being packed. Once planted, you can expect your first crop in 4-8 months, with peak yields typically reached in 16-20 months. Raspberry 'Willamette' bears reliably heavy crops of sweet, dark red, medium-sized berries that provide a welcome early harvest in June-July.
Grow raspberry plants in a sunny position in any well drained soil. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the soil. The stems of summer fruiting raspberries will require support. Before planting, prepare a framework of wires stretched horizontally between two sturdy 1.8m (6’) posts. Autumn fruiting varieties will not require supports.
Plant raspberry canes in a row against the wire supports, allowing a distance of 60cm (24”) between plants. Water well.
Summer fruiting raspberries fruit on the previous season’s growth. Leave unpruned after planting. This cane will go on to produce fruit next summer, at the same time, new shoots will grow from the roots. Once fruit has been picked the original cane should be removed and the new shoots left to grow to produce fruit the following year. Autumn fruiting canes should be pruned to 15cm (6”) above ground level immediately after planting to encourage more shoots to be produced.
