Plant fruit bushes and raspberry canes

Use this guide from late autumn to early spring, when bare-root and pot-grown fruit bushes are planted while dormant. You need a sunny or partly sunny spot, a spade, compost and, for raspberries, supports and wire.

Step by step

1. Choose fruit to suit your space and soil

   Blackcurrants, redcurrants and gooseberries are forgiving, take a range of soils and can manage partial shade. Raspberries like sun, rich soil and good drainage; summer-fruiting types need a post-and-wire support, while autumn-fruiting types are shorter and simpler to prune. Blueberries need acid soil, so grow them in large pots of ericaceous compost unless a soil test shows your ground is acidic. Buy from a reputable nursery or garden centre and check plants are healthy.