Raspberries the Right Way

I finally did it. I trellised my raspberries like I ought to. Although my corralling system has improved over the years, I finally tired of the canes falling over during high winds or leaning all together when heavy with fruit.

This method involves a sturdy system of 4×4 posts, double cross supports, 16 gauge galvanized wire, eye bolts and turnbuckle screws.

photo 5
The extra-special improvement for 2015 involves appropriate thinning and twine.  Very simply, each fruiting cane is attached to the upper wire on one side or the other of the trellis.  Canes are now no closer than 4″ apart and prevented from being blown or bent over. Ta-da!

Twine would around individual canes

Twine would around individual canes

photo 2

The other advantage is that there is now ample space for the new canes to come up between the fruiting canes.

photo 3

photo 4

I am very very excited to test out this tidy system come spring and summer!

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4 Responses to Raspberries the Right Way

  1. solarbeez says:

    Ah, you are an inspiration. I should do that too. Your photos show it well. Just wondering, how deep did you sink your 4×4’s? Did you use cement?

    • jkmcintyre says:

      Hi Solarbeez, thanks! This was years in coming – you’ll get around to it too. We sank the 4x4s about 2.5 feet. We were going for 3′, but it was hard going with the post-hole digger. We prefer not to use cement when we sink posts in the ground. We have found that crushed gravel (with the ‘minus’ still present) is really effective and allows you to remove the post later if needed. Not having to mix and pour concrete? That’ll get you going!

  2. Merry Hearts Medicine says:

    Oooo…I like the twine idea. I have a similar setup for my raspberries and ran several pieces of twine from one wire across to the other (to make “boxes” to contain the canes from falling over so badly). It works fairly well, but I never thought of individually tying up the canes. I may have to try that. I’m late on cleaning my patch out this year.

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