Question
Hello, Raspberries are a fruit but I hope you can help me.  I have a raised bed with 3 year old canes.  Last year and this year I have had blooms but none of them are developing fruit.  We are in Northern California.  I know we have a problem here with our bees dying could that be it?  Also I have ants all ove the plants, could they  be damaging the blossoms somehow?  In all other respects the plants are healthy and I have pruned the old canes out each year.  I am about to give up.  thanks for any help you can give.  Kate

Answer
Kate, bees are essential for pollination. My advice is to plant bright flowers in the vicinity to attract more bees.

The other variable is the soil. Fruit-bearing plants require soils rich in phosphorus. This is the second number of the three listed on the front of fertilizer packages. Be sure to work a granular fertilizer high in phosphorus well into the soil. Then supplement this with a water-soluable fertilizer high in phosphorus once every 10 days.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike