Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so there's
lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil. The soil is
very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than not
I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon my back
gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and hope
the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

In article , says...
My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so there's
lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil. The soil is
very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than not
I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon my back
gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and hope
the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.

IME raspberries seem to send their roots outwards and not too deep. I dug
out some very old raspberries from rubbly soil on my allotment and few roots
were as deep as 2 spits. They came ot because they were not performing too
well, but I think this was due to the fact that the canes were more than 20
years old according to people from the surrounding plots. I planted my new
canes elsewhere on the allotment in slits in improved soil to about 1 spit
and they seem to have done well.

Gill M

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

"Mel" wrote in message
...
My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so
there's lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil.
The soil is very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than
not I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon my
back gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and hope
the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.

In a previous garden I tended Raspberries, which to my knowledge, had been
in situ for over 30 years and produced very heavy crops.
All the grass clippings from the lawns were just thrown on the bed and this
practice had resulted in very shallow rooted plants.
Given enough water and feed I guess they will survive and thrive in a
minimal depth of soil.

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

Put a layer of well rotted manure over the rubble, which will help drainage,
then back fill. top dress with bonemeal, high potash feed then enjoy
wonderful fruit.
regards
Cineman
"Rupert (W.Yorkshire)" wrote in message
...

"Mel" wrote in message
...
My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so
there's lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil.
The soil is very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than
not I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon
my back gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and
hope the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.

In a previous garden I tended Raspberries, which to my knowledge, had been
in situ for over 30 years and produced very heavy crops.
All the grass clippings from the lawns were just thrown on the bed and
this practice had resulted in very shallow rooted plants.
Given enough water and feed I guess they will survive and thrive in a
minimal depth of soil.

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

I agree; the canes are too old. It is not a problem with building
debris.

Mel wrote:
My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so there's
lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil. The soil is
very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than not
I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon my back
gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and hope
the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

wrote:
I agree; the canes are too old. It is not a problem with building
debris.

Mel wrote:
My new allotment was dug up by the council with a massive digger, so there's
lots of debris (boulders, wood boards, etc) buried in the soil. The soil is
very heavy and wet.

Last weekend I started to dig out a trench for raspberries, and holes for
red/white/blackcurrants. After about 1 or 2 spits deep, more often than not
I hit rubbish that took herculean efforts to dig out, and very soon my back
gave up.

I'd planned to dig 2 spits deep and then add manure to the trench. If
there's debris at the 2 spits depth, is it okay to leave it there and hope
the roots find their way around, or does it all have to come out?

Thanks.
Builders' rubble contains a lot of lime which leaches out into the
surrounding soil and makes it more alkaline, which might not be good
for growing raspberries.

Soil Depth for Raspberries
 

Mel

Generally raspberries are shallow rooted and the approach you are
taking should be fine. Raspberries are forest fruits - naturally
growing in woodland clearings. This tells us a little about their
soils needs - free draining, cool roots and moisture. The muck will
help improve the soil. Come spring mulch the row with organic
material, which should be removed in the autum so it does not harbour
raspberry beetle or other raspberry bests (it can be dug in elswhere in
the garden)

Having said that I got some bare rooted autumn raspberries 'Polka'
which must have about 3ft of roots. If that is not a sign that they
are going to be vigourous!

Good luck and Happy growing

Clifford
Bawtry, Doncsater, South Yorkshire