Cumberland Black Raspberry – USDA Organic

Large, Firm, Organically-Grown Berries, Year to Year

There’s nothing like the super sweet, delectable flavor of black raspberries in the summer heat. And the Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush grows them larger than most other varieties, with very few pesky seeds. Even better? This bush is organically-grown, so harvesting plump berries without the aid of harsh chemicals and sprays is easy – and healthful from start to finish.

Plus, these robust raspberries are vastly improved over store-bought. They’re super firm, so they’ll stand up to picking and eating, right off the bush, or freezing for your favorite recipes. With a bountiful mid-season harvest, year after year, you can reap the delectable benefits from your backyard.

Best of all, the Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush is simple to grow and maintain, especially since it’s super cold hardy and will withstand subzero temperatures, even down to -10 degrees F. Your tree will grow nearly anywhere, in all types of soil, and thrives once it’s planted in the ground – it’s the epitome of hassle-free. Because it’s been meticulously nurtured before it’s shipped, it arrives with its full root system intact to speed up the growing process. You should expect your Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush to yield a great bounty of delicious raspberries during early summer, year after year.

And small spaces are no problem with the Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush. You won’t need a large section of land because the Cumberland is fast-growing, maturing at 4-5 feet high and only 3-4 feet wide. Plant your Cumberland in a sun-soaked area with well-drained soil. The Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush grows strong, happy and healthy, mostly on its own, in zones 5-9.

Packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, the health-conscious raspberries from this bush are a guilt-free snack to enjoy throughout the year, whether you’re incorporating into pies or saving for later. Organically-grown, amazingly gorgeous in your backyard, and wonderfully low-maintenance – the Cumberland Black Raspberry Bush is a must-have for your landscape. Order yours today!

Planting & Care

The Cumberland Black Raspberry (Rubus Idaeus ‘Cumberland’) is good for USDA growing zones 5-9, making it a hardy plant with the ability to make it through cold winters. They are fast growing, small plants with mature heights of 4-5 feet, widths of 3-4 feet and packed with big flavors! Their medium-large, blue-black berries are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and contain very few seeds. Once picked, eat them quickly or store in the refrigerator as their shelf life is short. Enjoy them in a pie, as a syrup, jelly or fresh off the vine!

Location: Choose a location that offers full sun and gives the Raspberries good air circulation. Areas that encounter high winds can pose a threat to the canes and should be avoided. Also, be sure there are no wild blackberries growing nearby which could spread diseases that can prove harmful to your plant. The soil should be nutrient dense and well-draining.

Planting Instructions:
1) If possible, plant your Raspberries early in the spring. If you live in a warmer area of the country plant in late winter.
2) A week before you plant, prepare the soil with compost or aged manure.
3) Soak the roots for an hour or two before planting to ensure proper moisture.
4) Dig a hole that provides enough room for the roots to spread out.
5) For multiple plants, space Raspberries about 3 feet apart, in rows 8 feet apart.
6)A trellis or a fence can provide extra support for growth. If you chose to use this option, do it from the beginning of planting so the plants are not disturbed when maturing.

Watering: Water your Raspberry plant at a rate of 1 inch of water per week. Increase water as necessary during dry periods but do not over water.

Pruning: Prune Raspberries in the fall, leaving about 6 of the thickest, strongest green canes. Make sure you cut off any sideways growing canes.

Fertilizer: You can use compost with a small amount of balanced organic fertilizer, applying late in the winter. It’s also a good idea to spread mulch in the planting area to maintain moisture and discourage weed growth.

Pests: Raspberries are not prone to many diseases but are susceptible to powdery mildew. The fungus can rob Raspberries of vital nutrients and weaken the plant. The disease looks like a dusting of flour and usually starts off in circular white spots. If left untreated, the plant’s leaves will begin to yellow and dry out. To treat, remove all infected leaves/fruit and make sure never to use these parts as compost. Use a fungicide which contains sulfur, neem oil or potassium bicarbonate.

Tips:
*If you don’t want to trellis your Raspberries, just let them grow in a slightly arched position so they have ample room as the fruit ripens.
*Prune away the shoots that grow up from the roots as well as old or damaged canes which will better enable the surviving canes to produce lots of berries.