THERE’S nothing like the intense flavour of homegrown raspberries in summer, which are always expensive to buy in the shops but pretty easy to grow yourself.

Raspberry canes need support, such as a post and wire system, so you can train them easily. They should be planted in fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of well-rotted manure or compost in a sheltered spot that gets sun for at least half the day.

Summer-fruiting varieties should be planted in autumn through to winter 45cm (18in) apart in the row, with 1.8m (6ft) between rows. In spring, mulch with well-rotted organic matter and they will later need feeding with general purpose fertiliser.

Keep them well watered when the fruits are swelling and protect the ripening raspberries from birds by covering the rows of canes with netting.

To lengthen the season, plant some autumn-fruiting varieties as well, which start ripening in late August through till the first frosts.