Can I move Raspberry canes?

[Mairzydotes]

We have a large allotment. Due to neglect of the neighbouring plot BY THE COUNCIL ( when the lady who had the next door plot gave it up, the council said they were going to use it to extend the car park.) So it stood empty for four years, and the weeds, always a problem as any allotment holder knows, have proliferated, and all attempts to get rid of couch grass and bind weed have been unsuccessful. This year is worse than ever, and my raspberry canes are literally tied together with the wretched stuff, however often I pull it out and clear it, it returns. So I am wondering if, if I manage to clear a fresh patch from as much of the problem as possible, it would be possible to dig the canes out (at an appropriate time) and resite them You have always managed to come up with solutions for me before, so here's hoping!

[Bromsgrove]

Yes! Wait until the autumn and select canes which are disease free. The canes you move will possibly die back, but you will soon get new shoots and be picking fruit again. If the plants are autumn fruiting raspberries ,you will get a crop in September next year.If the canes are very old it might be better to buy new, as the fruits deteriorate after a few years.
The behaviour of the Council leaves much to be desired. If you have not contacted them recently I would do so drawing their attention to the increasing problem. A spray is available commercially which would deal with the couch grass. Good luck!

[carrust]

I think you'll have to bite the bullet on this one & dig the lot out & start again. I took over an overgrown allotment last year, & had a similar problem. There were raspberry canes, brambles as thick as your arm & couch so thick I couldn't get a spade through it. I decided to chop all the vegetation down to ground level, & cover the lot in carpet. This year I dug it over, & no weeds were present. It now has a healthy crop of spuds & in the Autumn I'll be planting my soft fruit.