Raspberry Octavia A reliable, late, summer-fruiting raspberry, often grown commercially, Rubus idaeus Octavia is a tall, vigorous, robust, heavy-cropping cane fruit, 6’ x 2’/1.8m x 60cm, which is grown like a blackberry. The large, firm fruit is quite a light red, with a sweet, delicious flavour, and is high in fibre, Vitamin C and anti-oxidants. The canes will need to be trained onto post-and-wire supports or a wired wall or fence. The plant fruits on one year-old wood; it is best to tie the fruiting canes on one side of the support, and the younger canes bundled up on the other. Once all the fruit is picked, cut back fruited canes to the ground and spread out and tie in this year’s canes to fruit next year. Keep well watered at flowering and fruiting time. Raspberries have a suckering habit, and it’s a good idea to plant them in a bed surrounded by grass, so the suckers can be mown off. Site: Sheltered, sunny siteSoil: Fertile, well-drained, humus-rich, neutral to slightly acidic soilPosition: Full sunPick: late July to late AugustKeep: Does not keep, but freezes wellHardiness: Very hardyPollination: Self-fertileUses: Eating, jam, cooking You can learn more about how to plant and care for raspberries and starting with fruit in our advice section and on our resources page.