My Polka (autumn) raspberries are coming thick and fast at the moment. This is their second year and they really seem to have come into their own. They’re huge substantial berries (just over an inch long and almost meaty), and everyone who’s sampled these gorgeous fruits expresses delight at such a sweet tasting thing. Manuel across the road would like a cane or two, and this won’t be a problem as they are spreading rapidly and outgrowing their small plot. I can dig up some spare canes when the plant is dormant come February.
I also grew some Polka canes in wooden wine boxes last year and had plenty of fruit too, so whatever space you have, if you love raspberries, it’s definitely worth giving this tasty variety a try.
Out of my shed 
Your raspberries look wonderful – mine are miserable! Is the front of your house south facing? My plants are in a shady area – maybe not enough sun..?
Hi Kate, more east facing, so they get sun until 2 or 3 in the afternoon and then that’s it. Others grown in even less light (I’d say about 3 hours a day,but not deep shade) are slightly behind, but still producing a reasonable crop. We have heavy clay soil which they seem to thrive in during this hot summer. I really have noticed the difference with raspberries grown on my allotment this year, which has much lighter soil. I didn’t water at all this year (or mulch with manure etc. ) and my ‘Autumn Bliss’ raspberries there were puny little things. They were great there last year in the rain though!
I am very envious. My ‘Autumn Bliss’ rasps are showing very little fruit this year and I fear it was lack of watering by me in the heatwave.
Hi Sue, I wonder if Autumn Bliss are less drought tolerant than Polka too? or is it just the type of soil they’e in? Or a combination of the two? My wild and summer strawberries hated this dry weather at my thin-soiled allotment and a couple completely packed up and died. Strawberries in my front garden on the other hand have been fantastic this year (with no watering). I’ve started planting more veg, such as Asparagus and carrots on my allotment which like lighter soil and keeping fruit closer to home. Plus I just like popping out into the front garden to pick fruit minutes before eating.
My ‘Polka’ canes are three years old this year Naomi and a couple of them have surprised me this year by fruiting much earlier than usual. I’m really enjoying some most tasty mid-morning snacks at the allotment. Taste wise they put my summer fruiting raspberries to shame – so much so that I think that they have had their day. Amazing to see them growing up high on a balcony 🙂
Hi Anna, that’s a really good point. I have loads of berries all fruiting at the same time at the moment. Usually my autumn raspberries don’t fruit until my Japanese wineberries are over, bit all are ripe in the garden at the moment. Also have good nibblings of blueberries in pots and some delicious ‘Oregon Thornless’ blackberries. I enjoy snacking too when I’m gardening. Love this time of year for that.
Lovely looking fruit Naomi! Looking forward to seeing on Wednesday! 🙂
Look forward to seeing you all then. Hopefully you should be able to taste a few raspberries on Wednesday too!
Like Monty Don said ‘you can’t go wrong with growing soft fruit as it is always expensive !’ I am now off to buy some Polka for my allotment but have you tried autumn gold , a yellow variety that are absolutely beautiful but don’t taste like raspberries at all!! Very good for the novely factor ……..
Hi Cheryl, I don’t always agree with everything Monty says, but he’s right this time! Not only is soft fruit expensive, but it tastes so much better when you can pick a sun-warmed berry straight off the cane and pop it into your mouth.
I haven’t tried ‘Autumn Gold’. I do like a bit of experimentation, but I also love the red ripeness of my raspberries and strawberries. May need a bit of convincing to try these and or white Pineberries (ghostly versions of strawberries that taste like pineapples!). I’ll never say never though!
Couldn’t agree more! I’ve loved eating raspberries this year and having autumn ones is just great. I ‘think’ I have the same variety as you but not quite sure. They’re ones I’ve just been given over the years so could be anything, but they taste great! Hope you’re well 🙂
Hi Anna, Good to hear from you. All well here. Can’t believe how much fruit just a few canes are producing. I pick a whole load one day, and the next day, there’s another whole heap of berries to eat. What could be better?
Off to France next weekend. Not quire as far as Provence (your holiday did look heavenly), but hopefully there’ll be a few rays of sunshine left in the Loire when we’re there. Hoping to visit Jardin Plume on the way down and go to Chaumont Garden Fstival when we get there.
Hope all well with you. Your allotment looks gorgeous and hugely productive. N x
Hope you’ve got a neighbour on raspberry picking detail when you go on hols Naomi! Those berries look too good to leave behind! I’m having a little holiday at home this year, a good chance to catch up with myself before term starts again at garden school! Wishing you a lovely trip – enjoy your Garden Festival! C x
Hi Caro, have asked Manuel across the road if he’ll do the raspberry picking/eating for me while we’re away and I think he’s seen a few empty spots in the corner plot where he’s planning to plant a few brussel sprout plants too. Great to come back to find more veg in your garden than when you left!
Can’t wait for some Gallic sunshine (and food &wine!) and the gorgeous gardens of course. N x
Ah – now this might have solved a problem for me! I’ve got one rogue cane in amongst my Autumn Bliss that are clearly different, and I now think they’re polka.
You’re right about the size. I’m tempted to pull out all my Autumn Bliss and replace them with Polka.
Tough decision that, but must say that Polka have been, and are continuing to be great berries. Do you find there’s much difference in the taste?
yes, a little – I think the Polka are a bit sweeter. They’re not as seedy either.
Hi Jono, Sounds like it’s time to order some new canes!! X
[…] to my strident Polka raspberries, it takes a fair old while to fill a whole bowl, but to be honest, I prefer eating them straight […]
[…] and popular Autumn fruiting variety, but there are now quite a few new introductions such as Polka, Joan J, All Gold and Autumn Treasure and in fact ‘Joan J’ won best tasting Autumn […]