With the onset of cold weather, the question arises of preparing this delicate crop for the winter period.
Proper care in the fall will guarantee lush flowering and abundant fruiting in the following season.
Anastasia Kovrizhnykh, an expert of the online publication "BelNovosti", agronomist and landscape designer, shared useful advice.
Features of remontant raspberries
Everbearing raspberries are famous for their ability to bear fruit twice per season.
The first harvest ripens in early summer on shoots from the previous year, the second – in late summer and autumn on young shoots from the current year. This feature requires a specific approach to autumn care.
Winter preparation deadlines
Preparing remontant raspberries for winter should begin after the last harvest.
Usually this period falls at the end of September – beginning of October, depending on the region and weather conditions. It is important not to delay this process so that the plants have time to adapt to the cold.
Pruning: the main stage of preparation
Pruning is a key moment in preparing remontant raspberries for winter. There are two main approaches:
• Complete pruning: all shoots are cut off at the root. This method is suitable for regions with mild winters and allows for an abundant harvest in the fall of the following year.
• Partial pruning: only fruiting and weak shoots are removed. This approach ensures two harvests per year, but less abundant.
The choice of pruning method depends on climatic conditions and the personal preferences of the gardener.
Fertilizing and mulching
After pruning, it is necessary to take care of the root system nutrition. Phosphorus-potassium fertilizers will help plants to better prepare for winter.
Mulching tree trunks with compost, humus or peat will protect the roots from freezing and enrich the soil with nutrients.
Covering raspberries for the winter
In regions with severe winters, it is recommended to cover remontant raspberries. To do this, the shoots are bent to the ground and fixed.
Then the bush is covered with agrofibre, spruce branches or other available material. It is important to provide air access to avoid the plants from rotting.
Pest and disease control
Autumn is an ideal time for disease prevention and pest control.
Spraying with Bordeaux mixture or other fungicides will help destroy fungal spores. Removing fallen leaves and plant debris will deprive pests of shelter for the winter.
Watering before wintering
A few weeks before the onset of persistent cold weather, moisture-charging irrigation is carried out.
It saturates the soil with moisture that plants will need in early spring. However, it is important not to overdo it to avoid the roots getting wet.
Protection from rodents
Everbearing raspberries often become a delicacy for rodents in the winter.
To protect the bushes, you can use special nets or tie the trunks with spruce branches. These measures will help keep the bark of the shoots whole and unharmed.
Taking into account varietal characteristics
When preparing remontant raspberries for winter, it is important to take into account the characteristics of a particular variety.
Some varieties are more winter-hardy and do not require shelter even in northern regions. Others, on the contrary, need careful protection from frost.
Expert: Anastasia Kovrizhnykh
