Growing Raspberry Glen Ample: A Guide to High Yields and Delicious Flavour

Rubus idaeus

Raspberry Glen Ample: The Secret to Sweet, Juicy Berries at Home

Raspberry Glen Ample is a mid-season, summer-fruiting variety known for its high yields and large, sweet berries. With firm fruit that is aromatic and bright red, Glen Ample is perfect for fresh eating, jams, summer puddings, and even freezing. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or new to growing raspberries, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about planting, maintaining, and harvesting Glen Ample raspberries.

What Makes Raspberry Glen Ample Special?

Glen Ample stands out for its exceptional flavour, high yields, and ease of care. This spine-free variety produces round, conical berries that weigh between 4g and 6g each. The berries are firm, making them excellent for fresh consumption and freezing. With resistance to the large raspberry aphid, it’s also a reliable choice for gardeners seeking disease resistance.

This variety thrives in soil that is slightly acidic and well-drained, ensuring optimal growth. Its vigorous canes grow up to 2.5m tall, making it suitable for mid-season harvests. Glen Ample is a fantastic addition to any garden, providing delicious raspberries with minimal effort.

Preparing the Soil

For the best results, dig in plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost before planting. This enriches the soil and improves drainage. Glen Ample raspberries prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0-6.5.

When and Where to Plant

The ideal time to plant bare root raspberry canes is in mid-autumn or late winter, avoiding frost-prone periods. Choose a sunny spot with good air circulation, as this helps prevent diseases like spur blight and cane rust.

Planting Steps

1. Space the canes about 38cm apart, with rows 2.5m apart for ample growth.
2. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball, ensuring roots are spread out.
3. Cover the roots with soil, keeping the crown at ground level.
4. Water well straight after planting to help the canes establish.

Supporting the Canes

Glen Ample’s vigorous canes require support to grow straight and healthy. Install a post-and-wire system or use a trellis to tie in the canes. This prevents breakage and ensures maximum exposure to sunlight.

Feeding and Mulching

Apply a layer of mulch, such as well-rotted manure, around the base of the canes. This helps retain moisture and suppress weeds. Feed with a balanced fertiliser in spring to promote healthy growth and high yields.

Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. During dry spells, water deeply to ensure the roots remain hydrated.

Pruning Glen Ample Raspberries

Pruning is essential to maintain productivity and vigour. Glen Ample is a summer-fruiting variety, which means it bears fruit on the previous year’s growth. Here’s how to prune:

1. After harvesting, simply cut back the fruited canes to ground level.
2. Retain around six to eight new canes per plant for next year’s crop.
3. In winter, tie in the new canes to the support system, spacing them evenly for optimal growth.

Harvesting Raspberry Glen Ample

Glen Ample raspberries are ready for harvesting from late June to mid-season. The berries are bright red, firm, and easy to pick. Regular harvesting encourages further fruit production and keeps the plants healthy.

The fruit is not only delicious but also freeze well, making it perfect for long-term storage. Use the raspberries fresh or in recipes like jams, summer puddings, or coulis. Their excellent flavour ensures every dish shines.

Why Choose Glen Ample Raspberries for Your Garden?

Glen Ample raspberries are a reliable and rewarding choice for gardeners of all experience levels. With high yields, spine-free canes, and excellent flavour, they tick all the boxes for a productive fruit crop. Their resistance to common pests and adaptability to various conditions make them a favourite among UK gardeners.

Whether you’re growing them for fresh eating, freezing, or culinary uses, Glen Ample offers versatility and dependability. Add this award-winning variety to your garden and enjoy the satisfaction of a plentiful harvest.

Key Points to Remember:

• Planting: Use bare root canes in well-drained soil enriched with well-rotted manure. Plant in mid-autumn or late winter.
• Support: Install a trellis or post-and-wire system to keep the vigorous canes upright.
• Pruning: Cut back fruited canes to ground level after harvest. Retain six to eight new canes per plant.
• Harvesting: Pick the bright red berries from late June. Use fresh, freeze well, or make jams and desserts.
• Disease Management: Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to prevent spur blight and cane rust.

Glen Ample raspberries combine high yields, ease of care, and delicious flavour, making them a must-have for any garden. Start growing this fantastic variety today and experience the joy of a fruitful harvest.

To see the RHS article please click here

For more information on Fruit for your garden please click here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are Raspberry Glen Ample Canes?

A: Raspberry Glen Ample Canes are a variety of summer-fruiting Rubus idaeus plants, known for producing delicious summer raspberries. They’re a great choice if you want to enjoy fresh fruit straight from your garden!

Q: When do summer-fruiting raspberries typically produce fruit?

A: Summer-fruiting raspberries, like the Raspberry Glen Ample Canes, usually begin to yield their tasty fruits from June to August. So get ready for some delicious summer treats!

Q: How should I care for my raspberry plants in autumn?

A: In autumn, focus on trimming your canes that have already fruited. Cut them down to ground level to encourage new growth for the next summer fruiting season. This helps manage your plants and boosts their yields!

Q: Are Raspberry Glen Ample Canes easy to grow?

A: Absolutely! These plants are relatively low-maintenance. Just ensure they get plenty of sunlight and water, and you’ll be well on your way to growing fantastic summer-fruiting raspberries!

Q: Do Raspberry Glen Ample Canes require any special soil conditions?

A: They thrive best in well-drained, fertile soil. A little compost mixed in can greatly promote healthy growth. Just make sure the soil isn’t too soggy!

Q: How tall do Raspberry Glen Ample Canes grow?

A: These canes can grow up to about 1.8m, so be prepared for some height! You may want to stake them for support as they grow, especially when they start producing those tasty fruits.

Q: What is the RHS Award of Garden Merit and do these canes have it?

A: The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) is awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society to plants considered excellent for garden use. Yes, Raspberry Glen Ample Canes have received this award, which is a testament to their quality!

Q: Can I buy raspberry plants online?

A: Definitely! You can easily buy raspberry plants, including Raspberry Glen Ample Canes, from various online nurseries including Amazon. Just ensure you choose a reputable seller to get healthy, well-grown plants.

Q: How Many Canes Should I Plant?

A: Each bare root plant typically supports six to eight canes. For a family-sized crop, consider planting multiple plants.

Q: How Do I Prevent Diseases?

A: Glen Ample is resistant to the large raspberry aphid but may be susceptible to cane rust and spur blight. Ensure good air circulation and avoid waterlogging to reduce the risk of disease.

Q: What’s the difference between summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting raspberries?

A: Summer-fruiting raspberries produce fruit on canes that grew the previous year (floricanes), while autumn-fruiting raspberries produce fruit on new canes (primocanes) that grow in the same year. So, summer-fruiting raspberries like Raspberry Glen Ample Canes are all about that early summer bounty!