We just bought 2 blackberries and 1 raspberry plant. If planted in fall, will they do all right? We planted raspberry about 25 ft. from blackberries.
Yes, they will be fine to plant in the fall. Early fall is a great time to plant them.
I pruned out the old growth canes after fruiting this year. Now the new growth is over ten feet tall and very unmanageable. Should I top them?
I certainly would. I have blackberry bushed and they too were over 10 ft high I pruned them back to a manageable heighth of 5 ft....
My raspberry has white spots on the fruit. How do I avoid this? What should I do to the plants in fall/spring?
This article will help with the spots: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/white-drupelet-syndrome.htm
These articles will help with caring for raspberry plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/care-of-raspberry-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/pruning-raspberry-bushes.htm
Our raspberries got a virus. We've dug up the raspberries (which have been in for several years) and wonder if we could grow hybrid berries, such as tayberries, tummelberries, etc. in the same bed. If so, which do you recommend?
If the ground had a virus and that is why you removed the raspberries, I would not recommend putting any raspberry relatives there for at least one year. You may also want to consider solarizing the soil in that area to further ensure that the soil is free from the virus. This article has more information on solarizing: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/projects/how-to-solarize-garden-beds-to-eliminate-garden-pests-in-the-soil.htm
I have used ashes from our wood stove as garden fertilizer in the past, but we have just cleaned our chimney and the ashes have a fair amount of the creosote from the chimney. Will this pose any problems if added to my raspberries?
Here is an article that you may find helpful: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/composting/ingredients/wood-ashes-compost.htm
How do I trim the bushes? We transplanted this year and would like to trim them properly. When and how?
This article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/fruits/raspberry/pruning-raspberry-bushes.htm
My daughter wants me to bring her some raspberry starts. How do I make them so they won't be dead when her dad gets them to her in 3 days?
The trick is to do so as slowly as possible and pad them well. The vibrations from the vehicle can collapse the air pockets in the soil, which causes damage to the roots and compacts the soil. The slower you can go, the better chance they will survive the trip. Also, make sure that they are well watered before moving them. This will help keep the air pockets intact and the roots padded in the soil.