Ask Gerry

The books all tell us that we should cut down the canes of autumn fruiting raspberries (mine are "Autumn Bliss") well into the winter and I'm wondering if it necessary to leave it so late? Do the plants need that lateness (like daffodils do in order to store food in the bulbs) or is it OK to cut the canes down once fruiting is finished?I would like to cut my canes now (October) but am reluctant to do so without knowing why the common practice seems to be to leave them for another 2-3 months.

This year I had a poorish crop of summer raspberries. The canes for next year look small but to my surprise some of them have just fruited with good size fruits. Any ideas or suggestions?

Is it safe to plant fruit bushes along a creosote fence?

I have a raspberry bush also a redcurrant and blackcurrant bush, they are all beside each other in their own buckets but lately when i check on my raspberry bush the leaves look like they are being eaten away, my red and blackcurrant bushes are ok though. Could you tell me what it might be, i haven't noticed any insects on the bush itself.

Got 2 new raspberry bushes a while ago they were ok at first but now the leaves are curling and it looks like berries are going to be on it on it soon what should it do?

My raspberry bush is not showing any buds or leaves except a tiny amount at the base. What should i do?

When is the best time to prune autumn raspberries and blackberries?, and how much of the canes do i cut down ?

I need to repot my 3year old raspberries permanently are 50litre pots sufficient.

We have had a huge infestation of fruit flies in our raspberries is south Co. Kilkenny. They cover the fruit and make it inedible. Is there anything we can do now (for Autumn Raspberries) or can we deal with the larvae somehow in the winter months ? This is the first time ever to happen.

my 4 year raspberries are fruiting fantasticly but each year I have an increasing number of yellow fruit, not just from one plant but randonly spread out, they still taste fantastic but can you tell me why is this happening ?

Raspberry leaves developed into small mosslike structures .No growth --plant still alive.Would like to know cause and cure?

I planted three raspberry, three blackcurrant and three redcurrant last year. All in neat rows. This year they are progressing well but I noticed new shoots popping up all over the place nowhere near the main canes. My question is do I dig these up and discard or leave them?

The fruit/veg garden has been neglected for the past few years, raspberry canes have suckered all over ( var. Glen Clova). We wish to clear unwanted canes, keep the good ones and renew the garden for veg. and fruit. Advice needed on clearing/spraying and re-fertilising.Starting early October.

Some raspberry canes have died back this year Can I dig up existing healthy canes & replant in spaces where canes have died -having replaced soil. Do I need to cut down new growth on replanted canes & can I transplant now.