Some of my favorite plants in our permaculture garden are the raspberries. In this article, I am going to
share:
- Why I love raspberries in my permaculture garden
- Fun facts about raspberries that I learned over the years
- How to propagate raspberries
- Raspberries benefits
- A raspberry leaf tea recipe
Raspberries aren’t berries (What 馃く??)
Despite their name, raspberries are not technically classified as berries according to botanical definitions. In botanical terms, true berries are fruits that develop from a single ovary and contain seeds embedded in the flesh. Raspberries, however, are classified as “aggregate fruits” because they form from multiple ovaries within a single flower, each contributing to the characteristic clusters of small, juicy drupelets that make up the raspberry fruit. This fact about raspberries doesn’t change their amazing versatility in the kitchen though! It should only encourage you to continue to make raspberry jams, pies, desserts, and more!
Raspberries are perennial plants
One of the benefits of having raspberries in our permaculture garden/food forest is that they are perennial plants. This means they will come back every year and can live for many years with proper care. They can produce fruit for several seasons. The raspberries that we have in this garden were inherited from our old garden plot. We transferred them over when we took on this new piece of land.
Raspberry Plants: Season & Varieties
Raspberry plants are categorized into two main types: “everbearing” and “summerbearing“. Certain cultivars demand diligent pruning and care, whereas others can flourish with minimal intervention, catering to those who prefer a more hands-off gardening style.
Summer-bearing varieties typically feature long, somewhat delicate canes that benefit from trellises for stability. It’s important to note that these cultivars won’t yield a harvest in the second year. Instead, they produce fruit annually on two-year-old floricanes, usually in June or July, and are sometimes referred to as June-bearing varieties.
The raspberries we have in our garden are the everbearing variety. I am not sure of the exact breed of the plant but it produces medium-sized, bright red fruit with a mild flavor. This everbearing raspberry will produce a harvest in June, and September, and we even get a few raspberries as late as the 1st of December. This is a picture of raspberries growing in our permaculture garden in November 2022. The overbearing varieties tend to be disease-resistant and highly productive. Unlike summer-bearing raspberries, you can expect fruit in the first year of growth (and these grow fast). Canes reach a mature height of three to four feet, with an equal spread.
Raspberries come in many colours
- Blue raspberry
- Purple raspberry
- Black raspberry
- Yellow/gold raspberry
Which one is right for your garden will depend on where you live and what you are using the plant for. Raspberries are extremely hardy plants and can grow in zones 3-9.
Growing Raspberries
It is winter here as I write this blog and it is the perfect time to work on the raspberry patch of the garden. Raspberries are a bit like weeds and will “volunteer” themselves in areas of the garden that may not be helpful to you. I like to use this to my advantage and create more plants from these raspberry offshoots.
Below are a few pictures of how I did this.
The first image is a photo of a plant that actually didn’t have enough support and started growing along the ground. This made it perfect to clip the raspberry floricane into short pieces to plant (picture 2). I simply dug a whole and planted the raspberry clipping.
Woody plants like raspberries & other berry plants (jostaberries, currant) are especially easy to propagate. I discovered this the first year in our garden. I had trimmed many of the plants back for the end of the season and left the wood to decompose or threw them into beds we were creating. Amazingly, when the got dug up they were growing roots and starting to create shoots. This is a little experiment to see if I can grow extra plants for presents, selling, or for other areas of our garden.
I planted about 25 raspberry clippings like this and will keep you updated!
Health Benefits of Raspberries
Rich in Nutrients: Raspberries are a nutrient powerhouse, packed with vitamins (such as vitamin C and vitamin K), minerals (including manganese), and dietary fiber. They are also known for their antioxidant content. Raspberry leaves are a source of various nutrients, including vitamins (such as vitamin C) and minerals (such as iron).
Raspberries are a versatile fruit used in various culinary applications. They can be eaten fresh, used in desserts like a raspberry tart, made into raspberry jams, or added to salads and smoothies. Not only do we benefit from the raspberry fruit, but there is something else that is very special about the raspberry plant.
The leaves of the raspberry plant (Rubus idaeus) are rich in nutrients and compounds that are believed to have potential health benefits. Raspberry leaf herbal preparations are often used for various purposes, including:
Menstrual Health: Raspberry leaf tea is perhaps most well-known for its use in women’s health. It is often consumed during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, to help tone the uterine muscles. The tea is often used to alleviate menstrual cramps, and its muscle-relaxant properties may contribute to this effect. It may help to relax the uterine muscles, reducing the severity of cramps. These nutrients may contribute to overall reproductive health.
Respiratory Health: Raspberry leaf tea has been used to soothe sore throats and alleviate symptoms of respiratory conditions, such as colds and flu.
Digestive Health: Raspberry leaf tea is sometimes used to support digestive health. It may help soothe upset stomachs, reduce diarrhea, or alleviate symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Women’s Health: Raspberry leaf tea is perhaps most well-known for its use in women’s health. It is often consumed during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester, to help tone the uterine muscles. This is believed to prepare the uterus for labor and potentially make contractions more effective during childbirth. It’s important to note that the scientific evidence supporting this use is limited, and pregnant individuals should consult with a healthcare professional before using raspberry leaf products during pregnancy.
Raspberry Leaf Tea Recipe
Making raspberry leaf and mint tea is a simple and refreshing process. By far one of my favorite benefits of having these plants! Here’s a basic recipe for you:
Raspberry Leaf & Mint Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon dried raspberry leaves (organic or homegrown if possible)
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried mint)
- 2 cups water
- Optional: local honey or lemon for sweetening and flavor
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ingredients:
- If you have fresh mint leaves, give them a gentle wash.
- Measure out the raspberry leaves and mint leaves.
- Boil Water:
- In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of filtered water to a boil.
- Add Raspberry Leaves:
- Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer.
- Add the dried raspberry leaves to the water.
- Allow the raspberry leaves to steep in the simmering water for about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Mint Leaves:
- After steeping the raspberry leaves, add the mint leaves to the pot.
- Simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes.
- Be cautious not to over-boil, as this can affect the flavor.
- Strain the Tea:
- After steeping, remove the pot from the heat.
- Using a fine-mesh strainer or tea infuser, strain the tea into a teapot or individual cups to remove the leaves.
- Serve:
- Pour the raspberry leaf and mint tea into cups.
- If desired, add honey or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor. Adjust the sweetness to your preference.
- Enjoy:
- Sit back, relax, and savor the soothing and refreshing taste of your homemade raspberry leaf and mint tea.
- Note:
- Experiment with the quantities of raspberry leaves and mint to find the flavor balance that suits your taste.
- Consider adjusting the steeping time to achieve the desired strength of the tea.
This tea can be enjoyed hot or cold, and it’s a great way to incorporate the potentialf benefits of raspberry leaves and the refreshing taste of mint into your beverages.
Remember that while herbal teas are generally considered safe, it’s always wise to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you are pregnant or have any health concerns.