So much for the raspberries

My raspberries got off to a good start this spring with growth on last year's canes and lots of new canes poking up from the soil. But the spider mites came back too and they've pretty much destroyed most of the leaves. Newer growth appears to be ok for now but eventually the mites will move up there too. I tried to spray them into oblivion a few times with the last of my neem oil and that might have slowed their progress but the damage was done. I've considered some insecticidal soap but I think it's too late.

Spring has Sprung

Spring is finally here although it doesn't feel like we had much of a winter. The grass is green and the trees are budding. My raspberry plant survived the winter and has lots of new growth sprouting out along last year's canes. A few new ones coming up through the soil as well.

I haven't made any plans to grow on the balcony this year. I'd like to but maybe I'll dial it back a bit this summer. Maybe just some tomatoes and melons, or cucumbers. I might actually plant flowers instead of onions and beets. I'm not really sure yet. The clock is ticking though. If I'm going to grow anything I better get started on it.

Last of the Raspberries

I did a bit of cleanup on the balcony today. Tomato and melon vines went without water for over a week and they were drying out nicely. So I chopped them down and stuff them into a bag, ready for the composter. But there is still life on the balcony. My peppers are ripe enough to pick. The kale still has a few leaves on it. And I've got more raspberries which was kind of a surprise. I didn't think this cluster of flowers would produce anything this year.

Fall Gold Raspberry

I've always wanted to grow raspberries. In May I bought this Fall Gold raspberry plant. It's a bit of an experiment as I haven't had much success overwintering plants on the balcony, and this is a project that will need a few seasons to really get going.

The berries are suppose to be an orange-ish yellow. I wasn't drawn to this plant for any particular reason other than it looked like the healthiest raspberry plant at the garden center that day. It seems to be thriving in its new home, although it could use a little more sunlight.