DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am looking for some mature raspberry plants to place in my backyard. Do you know where some might be available?? And do they transplant well? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. — John, Dixfield, 207-357-2223

ANSWER: Sun Spots has wild raspberries (and blackberries) and enjoys them very much. They are quite tasty on oatmeal (try them with agave syrup and soy milk) but are too small for commercial sale.

As for growing them, she found a couple of good resources online. The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has a brochure on the topic that you can read or print out online (http://umaine.edu/publications/2066e/). 

For readers who might be interested and don’t have a computer, here is the other contact information: Cooperative Extension Publications, University of Maine, 5741 Libby Hall, Room 114, Orono, ME 04469-5741, 207-581-3792.

Sun Spots’ reading of this information and that of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (www.mofga.org/Publications/MaineOrganicFarmerGardener/Spring2005/Raspberries/tabid/1223/Default.aspx) filled her with new respect for raspberry growers. The MOFGA text starts with this quote:

“Raspberries are one of the more challenging crops I deal with,” says Maine’s vegetable and small fruit specialist David Handley. “I have more people get started in and get out of raspberries than any other crop I deal with.” People often see raspberries priced around $5 per half pint and plant the fruit. “But when the reality sets in as to how much labor is involved in getting the crop off the plant and to market in good shape, you see it’s worth every penny of that $5, and the growers are earning their money. Lack of labor tends to be the downfall … The market is certainly there.” 

The Cooperative Extension information includes data on several different varieties of the fruit, but then notes that most won’t survive temperatures below 5 degrees.

You may also have to work hard to get ready for those plants: “Getting the soil ready for raspberries may take up to two years, depending on its condition. Test the soil to determine its pH and fertility levels. Raspberries prefer a soil pH of 5.6 to 6.2; acid soils may require applications of ground limestone to increase the pH.”

If you are not yet discouraged, here’s the information on buying them: “Order your plants from a reputable nursery or garden dealer. Specify disease-free, virus-indexed stock. Most raspberries are sold as dormant, one-year-old canes, but some nurseries offer plants generated by tissue culture, or micropropagation. Tissue-cultured plants may be more expensive, but they are less likely to have disease problems.”

Sun Spots found no mention of transplanting on these two sites. On others it said the best time to move them is in the spring while they are still dormant. However, most sites said they are hardy and likely to survive if you pay attention to watering.

Raspberries do spread, so perhaps a reader will be willing to share some plants.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I sent you two questions. You answered one, but not the other. I am re-entering it.

On Mollison Way there is a mailbox that I believe is on the wrong side of the road. No matter how you approach the mailing slot is on the passenger side. Is there anyone else that finds this odd?

Enjoy your column very much. Hope you can take care of this for me. — No Name, Lewiston

ANSWER: Sun Spots is very sorry she missed your question the first time around. Perhaps the papers stuck together with all this humidity?

As for the mailbox, she is not familiar with this particular one, but some mailboxes do allow only passenger-side drop-off (or getting out of the car) and this may be one of them.

There are rules about “drive-throughs.” They must have specific clearances and allow traffic to safely enter and exit. It is also possible that property lines or limitations keep the U.S. Postal Service from moving the box to be more convenient. 

Considering the financial straits the USPS is suffering, Sun Spots thinks it’s highly unlikely the situation will be rectified anytime soon.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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