Rubus Fall Gold Raspberry: A Delightfully Unique Everbearing Raspberry

Fall Gold raspberry stands out for its extended harvest season and vibrantly colored fruit.

The Fall Gold raspberry (Rubus idaeus var. strigosus ‘Fall Gold’) stands out among its raspberry brethren for its extended harvest season and vibrantly colored fruit. This paper will delve into the characteristics, planting needs, and care requirements of Fall Gold raspberry, providing valuable information for gardeners seeking a unique and productive addition to their berry patch.

Distinctive Characteristics

• Fruit: Fall Gold produces an abundance of exceptionally large, golden yellow raspberries. These brightly colored berries boast a rich, sweet flavor with a pleasant tartness, making them perfect for fresh eating, baking, jams, and preserving.
• Everbearing: Unlike traditional summer-fruiting raspberries, Fall Gold is everbearing. This prized characteristic allows for two harvests: one in mid to late summer on primocanes (first-year canes) and another in fall on the same canes.
• Primocane-fruiting (Everbearing): Fall Gold is a primocane-fruiting variety, meaning it fruits on its new canes in its first year. This differs from traditional raspberries that fruit on floricanes (second-year canes).
• Disease Resistance: Fall Gold offers good resistance to diseases that commonly plague raspberries, such as anthracnose and spur blight.
• Cane Structure: This vigorous raspberry variety features upright canes with thorns, reaching heights of 4-5 feet and a spread of 3-4 feet.

Planting Requirements

• Climate: Fall Gold thrives in USDA zones 5 to 8. It is well-suited for both the East and Midwest regions of North America. While it tolerates some heat, excessive temperatures and drought can negatively impact yield.
• Sun: To maximize fruit production, plant Fall Gold raspberries in a location receiving full sun. They can tolerate some light shade, but this may reduce the number of berries produced.
• Soil: Well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.8 is ideal for these plants. Amending the soil with organic matter before planting can improve drainage and provide essential nutrients.

Care

• Planting: Bare root raspberry canes are typically planted in the late winter or early spring before new growth emerges. Space plants 2-3 feet apart in rows 8-10 feet apart.
• Watering: Consistent moisture is essential for raspberry plants, particularly during fruiting. Water deeply at the base of the plant, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Pruning: Proper pruning is crucial for maximizing yield and maintaining plant health. Fall Gold requires a different pruning approach compared to summer-fruiting raspberries. Prune primocanes in late summer or early fall, cutting them back to 12-18 inches. This will encourage branching and subsequent fruit production. After the fall harvest, remove the floricane portion of the canes that fruited.
• Support: The tall canes of Fall Gold raspberry benefit from support, especially when laden with fruit. A trellis or stake system can help prevent the canes from bending or breaking.

The Fall Gold Raspberry is a bush.

Like other raspberry varieties, it grows from a central crown at ground level with multiple woody stems emerging from that crown. This characteristic growth pattern classifies it as a bush, even though it produces long canes. Vines typically climb or sprawl, whereas Fall Gold Raspberry bushes have an upright form.

Conclusion

Fall Gold raspberry offers a unique combination of extended harvest, disease resistance, and vibrantly colored fruit. By following the planting and care recommendations outlined in this paper, you can cultivate a thriving Fall Gold raspberry patch and enjoy a double dose of delicious berries throughout the season.