I've just been lucky enough to get my hands on another half an allotment (one I've been keeping the weeds down on for the last two summers because although someone was paying the rent, they didn't go near it ).
There is a big patch of summer raspberries on this plot, but obviously they were very overgrown. Last year, the fruit they produced was all mildewed or poor-looking in other ways.
I've just spent a day pulling out all the couch grass and nettles from in between them, so that at least they can get some light and air, though obviously, I havn't been able to do anything about the roots. I've also cut down all the old dead or unhealthy-looking shoots.
Do you think this will help to produce healthier fruit this year, or am I wasting my time? Is there anything else I should do - feed them, water them, or anything like that, or should I get them out and start again with healthy new plants?
What do you think?
), and there are several blackcurrant bushes which look like they will produce a good crop again this year, despite the neglect. I took cuttings from my gooseberry bushes last autumn, and will be able to plant these on the new plot at the end of the season, and I might put in some other types of fruit bushes/ trees at that time, but for the moment I will just harvest what is already there and do what I was already doing - keep the weeds down!