Red Gold

Day 352: Every year, I have the same argument with myself as to whether or not to take out the raspberry patch. It tends to look rather unkempt where it hangs over its fence and the sidewalk, pruned by deer to be nothing more than wiry stems. I keep most of it tied up, but there are always a few vines which dangle right where I have to detour around them when I go out to get the mail, and when they're in bloom, they're usually loaded with bees (and I'm allergic). These inconveniences persist throughout much of the summer, and the annoyance (minor though it is) raises that question time and again: should I pull them? And then...and then the payoff comes. Heritage is best grown as a single-season crop although it is described as "everbearing." The overall yield will be better if it is restricted to being solely fall-bearing. As September approaches its terminal days and October waits anxiously in the wings, the fruits begin to ripen and those trips to the mailbox with side trips to the bee-laden vines become something to anticipate. The branch arching over the sidewalk above my head droops a little lower, putting its red treasure within easy reach. Who can resist a sun-warm raspberry? And my mental machinations do an about-face: yeah, I think I'll leave 'em another year.

Proud Heritage

Day 331: I'm proud of my Heritage...my Heritage raspberries, of course! This "everbearing" variety produces its heaviest crops if only allowed to fruit in autumn, so to that end, I cut them back to ground level after the vines have withered, forcing them to start over from scratch the following spring. They begin bearing in September and will continue up until the nights dip below freezing. My small patch (about 4' x 8') yields plenty-'nuff berries for a big batch of jelly and the occasional bowl of fresh fruit. I pop them in the freezer as they ripen, picking a few each day, dusting each layer with a little sugar. I'll make jam when cooler weather arrives, or if my pantry is already full, I'll simply eat them as snacks.

Anyone May Apply

Day 324: Wanted: pollinators for small raspberry garden. Must be ambitious and diligent, with ability to distinguish non-threatening life forms. Working hours from dawn to dusk. Anyone may apply, regardless of experience.

The present work force seems to consist largely of European paper wasps in conjunction with nondescript menials and overseen by a few bumblebees, but it is obvious that they are getting the work done. Hundreds of pink-tinged unripe raspberries dangle well above the top of the deer fence, telling me that this is going to be another ladder-climbing year. Funny, I don't remember nine-foot raspberry vines from my childhood. Why are these Heritage everbrearings so flamin' tall? Perhaps if I pruned them to fruit twice a year instead of solely in the fall, I'd have a spring crop I could actually reach from ground level. However, pruning the everbearing varieties so that they only produce in late season results in a greater yield. The system has worked for me over time, so I'm not likely to change it up. Besides, there are always more pollinators looking for work in the late season.