The two fall-fruiting varieties that should be considered as alternatives to Heritage are Autumn Bliss and Ruby. Autumn Bliss offers larger fruit than Heritage. Autumn Bliss is also much earlier than Heritage, so yields will be much greater in northern areas where much of the Heritage harvest is lost to fall freezes. The large fruit of Ruby justify its trial as an alternative to Heritage. Redwing provided earlier fruit than Heritage, but they were slightly smaller and softer. Summit fruit were very small and this variety was also severely infected by anthracnose during our trial... The standard summer-fruiting varieties for Michigan are Canby (southern areas), Latham and Boyne. Boyne was the most productive in our trial, followed by Algonquin, Reveille and Latham. The varieties showing the most potential as alternatives to Boyne, Canby and Latham were Reveille, Titan, and Algonquin. Reveille was productive and had large flavorful berries. It appeared about as hardy as Candy, so significant winter injury could be expected in more severe regions of Michigan. Titan is suggested for trial primarily because the fruit are so large. Two disadvantages of Titan were that the fruit were quite susceptible to Botrytis rot, and the plants are very susceptible to phytophthora root rot when planted in heavy or poorly drained soils. Algonquin was productive and hardy, but its small berries may limit its value in Michigan. Chilliwack and Tulameen produced high quality fruit but the plants are not sufficiently hardy for Michigan Here is a link that might be useful: Raspberry Variety Testing at MSU

Hi Offgridnatureman- I havenÂt actually tried planting much during the fall. Not because I'm afraid to... it's just my ambition finally wears out around now, and it doesn't help that all the leaves are falling off everything. I know my local nursery discounts everything by 20% of so in the fall, and I probably wouldn't hesitate to plant a one gallon nursery raspberry, I just havenÂt done it before. Perhaps I should just so when someone asks a question like this, I could have something intelligent to say! As for bare root raspberries, if the nurseries are recommending waiting until spring, that I'd probably just go with that. Have you settled on any varieties yet? Some people here say "just plant Caroline and be done with it". But, I like different varieties so lengthen my harvest window for as long as possible. IÂm more about fresh eating than I am about freezing. I find the flavor differences to be subtle, and actually enjoy their differences. IÂve yet to find a bad tasting raspberryÂ. (expect for those raspberries that go beyond ripe of course) What zone are you in? IÂm not sure how the elevation will affect them. Have you asked the nurseries about that? Maybe a bit more searching on that topic? Let us know what varieties youÂre thinking about. Good luck! -Glenn

I'm in NE PA also...and depending where you are, Heritage may fruit too late to get a decent fall crop. Blueberries that do well here are Patriot, Jersey, Elliot, Duke, Bluecrop & Blueray, from my experience. I'm sure there are others also. There is a NE (PA) Regional small fruit meeting coming up in Feb. if you are interested. You can call your local coop. ext. office for details, or 963-6842 (Scranton office). Ann

Well, raspberries do prefer full sun for the most part. However, I've gone on many hikes in the woods and found patches of berries amongst trees where there is no way they get full sun all day long- so I'm sure they will tolerate some shade. I've often seen it recommended to plant a few different varieties of raspberries to maximize the produce. Get a summer bearing one for the first fruit of the year, and then get an everbearing that will fruit later and will extend your season by a few months. Sorry, I have no clue about varieties, as we just planted our first raspberries- taken from family in MN, and ours are getting the same sun as yours would. So far they seem to be very happy there.