Raspberry Sandford - Trenton Cottage
Raspberry Sandford - Trenton Cottage
In Stock

Raspberry Sandford

Wholesale Sales Only

Start your summer harvest early with Raspberry ‘Sandford’ (Rubus idaeus), a standout summer-bearing variety known for its early-season crop of deep red, glossy berries with rich, classic raspberry flavour. Fruiting earlier than most, it’s perfect for those eager to enjoy homegrown raspberries at the start of the season, ready for the Christmas holidays. The tall, flexible canes benefit from support and perform best in cool, temperate, and arid climates where winter chill promotes strong fruiting. With excellent disease resistance and reliable productivity, ‘Sandford’ is an ideal choice for gardeners seeking an early, flavourful harvest.

SKU: TCRASSAN002 Category: Tags: , ,

Description

Raspberry Sandford (Rubus idaeus) 
Raspberry ‘Sandford’ is an early-season, heavy-cropping summer raspberry known for its glossy, deep red, round fruit with a rich, classic raspberry flavour. This self-fertile floricane variety produces berries on second-year canes. Each spring, vigorous new shoots (primocanes) emerge and grow through the season, then mature over winter to become fruit-bearing canes (floricanes) the following year. The cycle continues annually, with old canes removed after harvest. With a tall, upright habit, plants typically reach 1–1.75 m high and around 50 cm wide. ‘Sandford’ grows well in garden beds or large pots and benefits from support to keep canes upright and productive. Best suited to cool, temperate, and arid climates, it thrives in areas with a distinct winter chill and has good natural disease resistance.

Uses and Nutritional Content
These medium-sized, glossy red berries are ideal for fresh eating, desserts, smoothies, jams, and drinks. Raspberry ‘Sandford’ is perfect for early-season harvesting, often ready just in time for Christmas. Raspberries are rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, dietary fibre, and antioxidants such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, supporting immune health, digestion, and overall wellbeing.

When to Plant
Plant from winter to early spring while the plant is dormant and the soil is workable. Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil. If you can’t plant immediately, store canes in a cool, dry place and plant as soon as possible.

Where to Plant
Choose a permanent position in full sun to part shade, in the ground or a large pot. Ensure good airflow and protection from strong winds to reduce disease and prevent cane damage. In hot regions, afternoon shade can protect leaves and fruit. Avoid low-lying or damp areas with poor drainage.

Soil
Raspberries prefer rich, moist, well-drained soil with a moderately acidic pH of 5.5–6.5 (tolerates up to 6.8). Before planting, mix in well-rotted compost or aged manure to improve fertility and structure. Improve clay or sandy soils with organic matter. In areas with poor drainage, consider planting in raised beds.

Training
Raspberry ‘Sandford’ produces long, flexible canes that benefit from support as they grow. Install a trellis, wire, or fence system — suitable for both garden beds and large pots — to help keep canes upright and well-spaced.

As primocanes (first-year green canes) grow through spring and summer, tie them to one side of the support. These will not fruit in their first year but will become next season’s productive floricanes.

In their second year, tie the new season’s primocanes to the opposite side to maintain an organised structure and simplify annual pruning.

‘Sandford’ flowers in spring and fruits in early summer, producing ripe berries in time for the festive season.

How to Plant
• Soak canes in clean water for up to 1 hour before planting to rehydrate the roots.
• Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread the roots comfortably.
• Position the crown (where roots meet the cane) just below soil level—no more than a few centimetres deep.
• Backfill with original soil or a soil-compost mix and firm gently.
• Apply a complete fertiliser at planting to support early growth.
• Water in thoroughly, then apply mulch around the base, keeping it clear of the crown.
• Plant 40–60 cm apart, with 1.5 m between rows.

Growing in Pots
If planting in a pot, choose one that is at least 40 cm deep and wide with good drainage, and fill it with a premium potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter. Follow the same planting and care steps as for growing in the ground. Plant only one cane per pot to reduce overcrowding, allow adequate airflow, and ensure the plant has enough space to develop a strong root system.

Pruning 
Raspberry ‘Sandford’ fruits on second-year canes, known as floricanes. After the summer harvest, cut all fruited canes back to ground level — they will not fruit again. At the same time, remove any weak, damaged, or overcrowded growth, keeping only the 6–8 strongest primocanes per plant for next season’s crop. These first-year canes should remain unpruned throughout their initial growing season.

In their second spring, once they become floricanes, canes may be lightly tip-pruned in late winter to early spring before growth resumes. Remove just 5–10 cm from the top of each cane to encourage lateral branching and help maintain a manageable height. This light pruning can improve structure and increase fruit production without sacrificing early-season berries, which form near the tip. Avoid heavier pruning, as cutting too far down may reduce yields.

If runners or suckers appear, remove them promptly to prevent overcrowding. These can either be discarded or allowed to establish elsewhere to propagate new plants.

Care and Maintenance
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially in spring and summer. Water at the base of the plant, ensuring good drainage.
• Feeding: Apply a complete fertiliser in early spring to support growth. A light summer feed can aid fruiting and primocane development, especially in pots. No feeding is needed in autumn. In winter, apply compost and mulch to protect the roots.

Harvesting
Raspberry ‘Sandford’ produces a reliable early summer crop over a short period. Pick berries when fully coloured and plump — they should come away easily with a gentle pull. Handle with care and enjoy fresh, refrigerate, or freeze in a single layer for later use in smoothies, desserts, or baking.

Pests and Diseases
Common pests include aphids, spider mites, fruit flies, and birds. Control with insecticidal soap, netting, and prompt harvesting. Diseases such as Botrytis (grey mould) and rust can appear in humid conditions—ensure good airflow and remove infected material.

Safety
Raspberry fruit is edible, but other parts of the plant—leaves, roots, and canes—should not be consumed. While safe to touch, the canes do produce some thorns despite being nearly thornless, so handle with care and supervise children and pets around plants.

Supplied as bare-rooted canes.

Additional information

Price Code

D – Purple Pack
Botanical Name

Rubus idaeus
Quantity in Pack

2 Canes
Harvest Time

Early Summer
Planting Time

Plant from winter to early spring. Ensure the soil is workable, not frozen or waterlogged. Protect young plants from frost by using frost cloth or planting in pots ready to be transferred to the ground once the ground is suitable for planting.
Planting Depth

Plant so that the roots sit approximately 10 cm deep, with the crown positioned just below the soil surface — no more than a few centimetres. Avoid planting too deep, as this can cause rot, or too shallow, which may expose the roots. Ensure the hole is wide and deep enough to comfortably spread the roots.

The crown is the point where the roots meet the base of the canes — often slightly swollen and marked with small buds. This should sit just below the soil surface after planting.
Planting Width

Plant 40–60 cm apart within rows, with 1.5 metres between each row.
Soil

Raspberries grow best in rich, moist, and well-drained soil with a moderately acidic profile. Aim for a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, though plants can tolerate levels up to 6.8 in fertile, well-prepared conditions. Good drainage is essential to prevent waterlogging and reduce the risk of root rot.

Before planting, prepare the soil to a depth of at least 30 cm and incorporate well-rotted compost or aged manure to improve fertility, structure, and moisture retention. Avoid fresh manure, as it can burn young roots and disrupt soil pH.

In heavy clay soils, add plenty of organic matter to improve drainage and aeration. In sandy soils, mix in compost, aged manure, or coco peat to enhance moisture and nutrient retention. Applying mulch on top can further regulate soil temperature and reduce evaporation.

In areas with poor drainage or compacted ground, consider planting raspberries in raised garden beds to improve airflow and prevent root rot.

Well-prepared soil provides the foundation for productive, long-lived raspberry plants.

For potted raspberries, use a high-quality, free-draining potting mix enriched with compost or organic matter to create a stable and balanced growing environment.
How to Plant

Choose a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun. In hot areas, afternoon shade helps reduce plant stress. Avoid overly shaded sites, which can lead to weak growth and poor fruiting. Ensure good airflow and shelter from strong winds to protect canes and reduce disease risk.

Dig a hole wide and deep enough to spread the roots. In slow-draining soil, create a small mound at the base or plant in raised beds to improve drainage.

Position the plant so the roots sit about 10 cm deep, with the crown just below the soil surface (no more than a few centimetres). Backfill with the original soil or a compost-enriched mix and gently firm it in.

Space plants 40–60 cm apart, with 1.5 m between rows to allow airflow and easy access.
Apply a complete fertiliser, such as fish emulsion or blood and bone, then water in well.

In dry or low-humidity areas, mix in compost or coco peat at planting, then apply mulch such as straw or sugarcane. Keep mulch a few centimetres clear of the crown.

For pots, use one cane per container at least 40 cm deep and wide, filled with premium potting mix enriched with compost. Follow the same planting and care steps.
Watering

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing and fruiting season (spring and summer). Inconsistent or insufficient watering can lead to small, dry, or misshapen berries and may reduce overall yield. Water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can encourage fungal diseases. Use a watering can or hose to apply water slowly and evenly.

To avoid waterlogging, ensure your soil is well-drained. If the soil tends to retain water, consider improving drainage by adding organic matter like compost, or plant on a slight mound to help water flow away from the roots. Raised beds or containers with drainage holes also help keep water from collecting around the roots.

In containers, check the moisture regularly as pots can dry out faster than garden beds. Adjust watering accordingly, especially in warmer weather.

During winter, water only if the soil is dry, particularly in drier climates, as the plant is dormant and requires minimal water. Avoid watering during frost periods, as frozen soil can prevent water absorption and may damage the roots.
Fertilise

Apply a complete fertiliser in spring to support new growth. This will provide essential nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) for strong growth and healthy development.

In summer, use a high-potassium fertiliser to support berry production. This helps produce larger, healthier fruit. Apply as per the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid overfeeding.

After the fruiting season ends, stop fertilising. The plant enters dormancy and won’t require nutrients during this period. Instead, add a layer of compost and mulch (such as straw, sugarcane, or lucerne) around the base of the plant. Compost will provide nutrients as it decomposes, while mulch will protect the root system, retain moisture, and prepare the plant for the next growing season.

In following years, apply a complete fertiliser each spring to support healthy growth and fruiting. Even when compost or manure is added in winter, a spring feed helps maintain plant vigour and optimise yields.
Pruning

Summer-bearing raspberries produce fruit on second-year canes, known as floricanes. These canes will not fruit again and should be cut back to ground level after harvest. Alternatively, pruning can be done in winter once the canes have dropped their leaves. Winter pruning is often easier in cooler climates, as the difference between old and new canes is more visible. Regardless of timing, removing spent floricanes helps prevent overcrowding, improves airflow, and reduces disease risk. At the same time, remove any weak, damaged, or spindly canes, keeping only the 6–8 strongest new canes (primocanes) per plant for the next season’s crop.
Primocanes grow vigorously through spring and summer and become floricanes the following year. In their second spring, once they have become floricanes, canes may be lightly tip-pruned in late winter to early spring before growth resumes. When they reach 1.2–1.5 m tall or the top of your support wire, remove just 5–10 cm from each tip above a node. This light pruning encourages lateral branching, improves cane structure, and can enhance fruit production. Avoid cutting too far down, as this may reduce yields.
If runners or suckers appear beyond the intended planting area, remove them promptly to prevent overcrowding. These can either be discarded or transplanted to establish new plants elsewhere.
Harvest

Raspberry ‘Sandford’ begins fruiting in early summer, delivering a heavy crop during a relatively short harvest period. As a summer-bearing variety, it typically produces one main flush of fruit, making it ideal for those wanting an early-season yield in time for festive summer gatherings. Berries are ready to pick once they are fully coloured, glossy, plump, and detach easily from the plant with a gentle pull.

Check plants regularly throughout the fruiting period, as ripe berries can spoil quickly if left on the cane. Handle fruit carefully, as it bruises easily, and refrigerate soon after picking to maintain freshness. For longer storage, Sandford freezes well — spread berries in a single layer on a tray, then transfer to containers once frozen for use in desserts, smoothies, or baking throughout the year. Cover plants with netting to protect against birds and other wildlife attracted to ripe fruit.
close
Shopping cart
close