Plant bare-root autumn fruiting canes as soon as they arrive. If you can’t plant immediately, heel them in by covering the roots with soil or pot them temporarily. Before planting, soak the roots in a bucket of water for about 30 minutes. Prepare the ground well, removing all perennial weeds and adding plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure.

Plant the canes 8cm (3in) deep and 45cm (18in) apart, spreading out the roots carefully and backfilling with soil. Leave 1.8?m (6?ft) between rows.

For pruning after the first year, the usual method is to cut all canes to just above ground level each February and feed with a slow-release fertiliser. Alternatively, to extend the harvest season, only remove the canes that fruited in autumn. This allows the remaining new canes to produce an earlier summer crop, while the usual spring shoots will still give an autumn crop.

As the new canes emerge, tie them to supports to keep the plants tidy and make harvesting easier. Mulching and consistent watering, particularly in summer, will help protect roots and support fruiting.