Raspberry 'Summer Chef'Rubus idaeus

Grow raspberry plants in a sunny position in any well drained soil. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or garden compost into the soil. The stems of this compact variety will require some support such as a framework of wires stretched horizontally between two posts. When growing raspberries in containers, support their tall stems on a wigwam of canes.

Plant raspberry canes against their supports, allowing a distance of 60cm (24") between plants. Water well. 

Instead of cutting all the fruited canes to ground level like other Primocane varieties, use a double-cropping pruning regime. Select the strongest 6-8 canes, reducing them to about 1m in height.  These canes will crop in June the following year and should be cut down to the ground after they have been harvested. A later autumn crop will be produced on the current year’s canes.

Water raspberries well for the first year until plants are fully established. Loosely tie the stems in to their support wires as they grow. When berries begin to develop, place a net over the plants to protect the crop from birds. Apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the canes in spring. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer.

For more information and guidance check out our Gardening Guides.

Water well for the first year until plants are fully established. Loosely tie the stems of summer fruiting raspberries in to their support wires as they grow. When berries begin to develop, place a net over the plants to protect the crop from birds. Apply a mulch of well rotted manure or garden compost to the base of the canes in spring. This will help to retain moisture throughout the summer.

Summer fruiting: In autumn, prune the canes which have fruited over summer to ground level. Canes which have not fruited should be 'tied in' to their supports. Aim to have 6 to 8 fruiting canes per plant.

Autumn fruiting: Prune all raspberry canes to ground level each February.

Seeds and garden supplies will normally be delivered within the time period stated against each product as detailed above. Plants, bulbs, corms, tubers, shrubs, trees, potatoes, etc. are delivered at the appropriate time for planting or potting on. Delivery times will be stated on the product page above, or in your order acknowledgement page and email.

Orders for packets of seed incur a delivery charge of £2.99.

Orders which include any other products will incur a delivery charge of £6.99.

Where an order includes both packets of seeds and other products, a maximum delivery charge of £7.99 will apply - regardless of the number of items ordered.

Large Non-standard items may incur a higher, lorry delivery charge. Charges will be calculated at checkout, but an example of the lorry charges are listed below.

• Red - £9.99.
• Purple - £2.99.

For more information please visit our delivery charges information page by clicking here.

For more information on how we send your plants please visit our Helpful Guide on plant sizes.