On 2012-10-04, Broadback wrote:
Last Winter I planted some Autumn Raspberries, whereas to date I have
only grown Summer ones. I am very disappointed with the results, the
crop is low and the size pathetic, whereas my summer ones produce and
abundant crop of large berries. Are Autumn Raspberries normally like
this, or is it because it is their first year? If this is the sort of
crop that I should expect then they will be out next year!

What variety did you plant?

I grow Autumn Bliss and Fall Gold (Yellow rasps). Autumn raspberries fruit
successively from the top, then down the plant, with fruiting lasting over
2 or 3 months depending on autumn weather. Whereas summer ones tend to
fruit over 2 to 3 weeks, and traditionally one needed early and late
varieties to extend the season.

Also "Autumn" canes that have not fruited (or only fruited at the very
top of the plant), can be left standing to fruit the following late
June/July.

In my garden, I find Autumn varieties are generally more robust and less
prone to disease than summer varieties - I've had a patch of autumns
growing for over 20 years, way longer than any stand of summer ones I've
managed.