After attending a program on small fruit given by Jennie Stanger at Monroe Extension several years ago I decided to set aside part of my garden and dedicate it to a couple of rows of strawberries and a row of raspberries. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! My love affair with raspberries started with the purchase of 25 (5 plants minimum order) plants from Nourse Farms in 2009, with the variety Caroline (an improved Heritage) being my choice. Nourse is a great supplier and they have a very informative and colorful website which takes much of the guess out of choosing a variety, planting, harvesting and caring for your plants.
The first spring of planting those wooden looking sticks in the ground it didn’t look very promising. As that year progressed new plants started appearing in the rows between the “sticks” and by fall I even picked a few handfuls of raspberries. The next year the row had pretty much filled in and I was in business. The photos are of 3 years after planting – one 30′ row of about 18 plants (I shared extras) gives me all the raspberries I could want. So far this year I have made 3 batches of jam, 8 pies and shared with my daughter and her family for smoothies and cereal. I am picking about 5 quarts every other day and the season is only about half over.
I hope by sharing my story and seeing these photos you will be encouraged to try dedicating an area for raspberries.
Monroe County Master Gardener Association 
I wish I had more space in my garden. It’s just a small yard. My neighbor in back planted some one year, but said he was unhappy with the variety and pulled it out. We got a volunteer come up between the fence and my raised veggie bed. Was excited to see it at first. Watched it and waited to see what it would do. Two years, in case it bared on old wood. It’s never given us any fruit. It’s in an awkward spot and we can’t dig it out. So we cut it down each year as it’s coming up. Those pies sure look good! I love raspberries!!!
The only dedication I want to fulfill is to be near your garden at picking time. 🙂
Your patch looks great, thanks for sharing your pics, what time is dessert.
GB
Your berries are beautiful. I have a rather large patch of black raspberries that I enjoy, but your photos have encouraged me to get serious about expanding the berry collection in my yard. At last year’s MG college, I attended a presentation on small fruits and the presenter actually shared a small cutting of “Chester” thornless blackberry. I am proud to say it is growing like a weed and although I only harvested a few berries this year, I am hoping for a good harvest next year. When you see the price of fresh berries at the market and grocery stores, it is further encouragement to grow your own. Thanks for the inspiration, Naida
I loved the pictures and I can almost taste the pie
Very nice post, thanks. Of course I love my Carolines, too! As do my grandkids, in fact the whole family. Really the only drawback to rasps is the time it takes to pick them, but you don’t have to be on hands and knees, and they don’t need any prep at all before eating~