Raspberry 'Polka' (Rubus idaeus 'Polka')

Overview

Undoubtedly one of the best autumn-fruiting raspberry introductions in recent years, Raspberry 'Polka' is a superb Polish-bred primocane variety that produces up to double the yield of its parent, Raspberry 'Autumn Bliss', and crops at least two weeks earlier. A fantastic introduction from Poland.

The Fruit

'Polka' is known for the exceptional quality and consistency of its fruit. The berries are large, have a fresh flavour, and an outstanding shelf life. The flavour is exceptionally sweet and has won several taste tests. The berries are very large and evenly conical. The colour does not darken as much as other varieties, retaining that bright, appealing red that makes them so attractive in the bowl or on the plate.

Once established, each plant can produce up to 2.5 kg of large, deep-red berries with a deliciously sweet flavour, harvested from late July through to October. 

Harvesting Season

'Polka' raspberries ripen a week or two earlier than 'Autumn Bliss' and most other autumn-fruiting raspberries, producing a large harvest from late summer all the way through to late autumn. As a primocane raspberry, it has the potential to produce two crops in a year — in late spring and early summer, fruit is borne on the previous year's stems, while in late summer and autumn, fruit develops on the current year's stems.

Plant Habit & Size

Mature raspberry bushes reach around 1.5 m, and with additional soil fertilisation, they can grow up to 1.8 m. The berry bush consists of 9–10 young shoots, which grow from a single seedling during the growing season. Small, soft thorns grow on the shoots, making them easy to care for and harvest. 

How to Grow

Soil & Position : Raspberries perform best in full sun, with good air movement and fertile, very well-drained soil. Raised beds are an option if your site is poorly drained. Raspberries prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Prior to planting, incorporate plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost into the planting hole. 

Planting : Before planting, soak the roots in a bucket of water for about 30 minutes. Prepare the ground well, removing all perennial weeds and adding plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure. Plant the canes 45 cm (18 in) apart, with 1.8 m (6 ft) between rows, spreading the roots carefully and backfilling with soil at the same depth as the old soil mark. After planting, cut the canes back to around 15 cm (6 in) above ground and apply a generous layer of mulch in spring. 

Support : Autumn types are shorter and bushier and may need less support than summer-fruiting types, but all will benefit from some. For larger plantings, hammer in two sturdy stakes about 3 m apart and string two or three heavy-gauge wires between them. In smaller gardens, a fence or single tree stake is sufficient. 

Watering & Feeding : Raspberries prefer moist soils, so make sure they are well watered throughout summer, especially during drier periods — roughly half a time a week, increasing to every other day when hot or dry. Feed during the growing season with a general-purpose fertiliser. 

Containers : 'Polka' can even be grown in a large pot of 40 cm or more in diameter. 

Pruning

Autumn-fruiting raspberries like 'Polka' are very easy to prune. After all the raspberries have been harvested in early winter, cut all the canes right down to ground level — in December, January, or February. New canes will emerge in February or March and these stems will grow up and fruit in summertime.

It is possible to gain a longer harvest period by leaving 'Polka' canes unpruned; these old stems will fruit earlier in summer and the new canes will grow up and fruit again from late summer to autumn. If you decide to extend your harvest time in this way, do remember to cut the canes to ground level after they have fruited for the second time. 

Disease Resistance

The vigorous, virtually spine-free plants show good disease resistance and cope well to produce a reasonable crop in gardens with less desirable soils. Thanks to its natural immunity, fruit crops are rarely susceptible to fungal and viral diseases, and pests rarely attack the berry bushes. 

In the Kitchen

A versatile berry, 'Polka' stores well and is great for fresh eating, baking, and processing. The berries are also used to make preserves, juices, nectars, compotes, jams, and marmalades, and are wonderful added to desserts, baked goods, and dairy products, or frozen for use throughout the year. 

Wildlife & Birds

Your biggest challenge, as with most soft fruit, is that the berries are so delicious that local wildlife will want to eat them too. Grow in a polytunnel or use a fruit net to keep birds off.