ground preparation for raspberries

[hemajo]

Well, today my hubby dug over an area we chose for the raspberries - probably deep enough to get two rows in, have spread on some horse muck and covered with weed suppressing membrane for now.  Is there anything else we should do to prepare the area ready for the raspberries? (which I have yet to order).  Can I plant different varieties in the same area?

[hemajo]

[wardy]

I don't think rasps are fussy.  I have them coming up all over my lotty in the most annoying places despite their having been dug up oodles of times  :)  They were old diseased canes apparently so we dug them up as recommended by lotty blokes.  They keep coming up and look in the rudest of health.  I think I'm going to dig them up carefully and replant them properly so then I won't have to buy new  :)  Good luck with yours  :)

[jennym]

You can plant different varieties and type in the same area - but do put sturdy labels in the ground. I guarantee (from personal experience alas) you will forget which is which, and that can be a pain. They do like it moist, so I make sure that the area is slightly concave so that it collects water.

[hemajo]

Thanks for your replies Wardy and Jennym.  Our garden is one huge slope, although it isn't too steep in the area we have chosen.   I'll have a chat to my OH and see what we can do - maybe a low wall or retaining plank at the lower end to at least make it level, then I could try the concave idea.  He'll tut about it though!  Nevermind - I've got other jobs planned already - will probably be posting for advice re those too! 
I saw some Joan J on Gardeners World on Friday, and was thinking of getting these - but have to think of what else as well.

[jennym]

Joan J is a good autumn cropper - I have those.

[hemajo]

Well, I have ordered 12 canes of Joan J.  (I'll see how they go in to the space available first, and then might order  a different variety).  Can someone tell me if these are pruned like summer or autumn raspberries?  Once I've put them in, can I just let them grow and fruit in the first year?  (as you can tell, I haven't a clue!). 

[jennym]

They are autumn fruiting, (July to October here) so next year, after they have fruited, cut them down to the ground. The growth starts in earnest in spring and the fruit comes on that growth.
By the way, you will be best to put up posts and wire so you can tie in the canes - otherwise they tend to flop onto the ground around now, and the slugs get them. Wire at around a foot apart starting at around a foot from the ground.

[hemajo]

Thanks JennyM, I will sort out the support structure and what we need for it today.  So, I don't need to cut the plants back when I put them in - just let them grow and fruit.  Then cut back next winter after fruiting is finished.

[jennym]

This first time, there probably isn't much growth on the plants you have, so let any greenery stand over winter, and cut them about mid Feb.

[hemajo]

thanks for the advice JM