Clockwise, starting bottom left: Tulameen raspberries 1) in my garden mid-July, 2) swimming in homemade ice cream, 3) sharing counter space with a pint of golden raspberries and 4) calling me to breakfast in the company of cream and sugar.
It may be our ‘gift’ of cloudy skies or the loamy soil kindly left behind by thousand of years of glaciers not staying put, but whatever it is the Pacific Northwest is berry country–a region so well-suited to growing cane fruit, that my blackberry hedgerow is an impenetable wall, formidable enough to block deer and puncture tractor tires. On the kinder, gentler side of berry genetics is the raspberry, an upright cane tame enough for an urban garden and delicious enough that one berry is ample reward (every ten seconds).
What’s the best raspberry to plant? My favorite variety (hands down) is Tulameen. It grows in a clumping fashion, has minimal thorns and produces berries the size of cherries that yield to a gentle pull when harvested. They keep and freeze well, but in my kitchen lack of willpower keeps them a stranger to cold storage. They seem just as delicious on ice cream as on whipped cream as on your palm awaiting to be plucked up and popped into your mouth. If your garden is missing Tulameen raspberries, you’re missing an opportunity for a juicy summer treat.
12 responses so far ↓
1 Linda // Mar 3, 2009 at 1:25
Those raspberries so delicious, and easy to pick. I can almost taste them as I look at the pictures. They have a distinctive sweet taste all their own. The combination of ice cream, raspberries, amd short bread was alittle slice of heaven. I can’t wait till summer.
Enjoy !
2 Annette // Mar 3, 2009 at 1:25
Thanks for posting this. I was researching fruit & berries to grow in Seattle when I checked in with you and saw this – perfect timing!
3 Eileen // Mar 3, 2009 at 1:25
What beautiful berries! I remember on my only visit to Oregon many, many years ago, the incredible berries in the farmers markets. I am jealous…
4 Sylvie, Rappahannock Cook & Kitchen Gardener // Mar 6, 2009 at 1:25
they look so good. How long do they produce for you? How many plants do you have?
I need to check that cultivar to see how it might fare on the East coast. I do not remember hearing it before.
5 Tom // Mar 6, 2009 at 1:25
According to my photo records they start as early as June 22 and go for about a month, tapering off at the end of July. I have 20 plants and they clump nicely with about 5 canes per clump and the canes reach up to 6-7 feet if not trimmed. I’d give them a try if you have a place with real good drainage.
6 Easter Wears a Slicker // Apr 13, 2009 at 1:25
[...] do bring May flowers. Not sure what May, June and July showers bring. Oh wait , I do; glorious berries. The good news is we broke a rain record yesterday and still had a glorious day and spirited easter [...]
7 JanaB // Jun 1, 2009 at 1:25
where can you buy plants that will get past CA Ag?
8 Dan D // Jul 22, 2009 at 1:25
I so agree! Just picked a bowl myself. What a great site you have here Tom! Beautifully done but that’s really no surprise to me. I’m just beginning to enjoy your writings here and I’m sure I’ll find it a great resource when I finally get an orchard going. Stay well!
9 michael // Dec 9, 2009 at 1:25
i have just recived tulameen raspberrys,for the first time,iv planted them on my allotment,do i cut them down,to around 6inch,or leve them at the hight of 6 ft
10 tom | tall clover farm // Dec 9, 2009 at 1:25
Hi Michael, I’d just trim them to about four feet and make the cut just above the closest bud.
1. You’ll get fruit off of that cane in the coming season as well as new shoots.
2. At the end of the season when dormant, cut this year’s producing canes to the ground, as they are dead wood.
3. Trim the new season’s growth (again when dormant) from 3-4 feet.
4. From the buds will emerge new 1-2 foot shoots and small flowers that will produce the berries for the coming season.
Bottom line: trim out dead wood and very light pruning on new wood.
11 Marline Zee // Feb 1, 2010 at 1:25
My sister lives in Gig Harbor, WA and bought some Tulameen raspberries a few year ago. She loves their ease of care. (She just turned 78.) However, I live in the middle of Missouri (Lake of the Ozarks) and I’m not sure if Tulameen would make it through the hot summer. What do you think? If not, can you recommend the same type of raspberry for this area? Thanks.
12 Tom // Feb 2, 2010 at 1:25
Hi Marlene, good question. Raspberries and serious heat and humidity aren’t well suited, generally speacking. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a try. I’d check with your local nursuries and see what they recommend. This time of year they are likely to stock inexpensive bareroot raspberry canes that are chosen with your climate in mind.
Here’s some great information and some suggested varieties from Missouri State University: Growing Raspberries in Missouri and also from the University of Missouri: Fruit and Nut Cultivars for Home Planting
Then again, you also have the option of visiting your sister in early to mid-July, just about the time Tulameens are ready for picking…and eating.
Leave a Comment