Don't cut them. My raspberries are also leafing out pretty good right now, while the blackberries have just started to send out shoots. I would assume a basic 10-10-10 would work fine, although you might need some micronutrients at some point being grown in a container. I do think that raspberries like soil on the acidic end of things. I doubt, depending on the blackberry, that they will make it outside unprotected in a pot, even the raspberries might be in trouble. I left out strawberries in a pot one winter and they were toast. Think about moving everything into the garage, shed or cover them. I have no idea how well growing berries like this in a pot works, but i have about 5 pots with "Triple Crown" blackberries growing in them this year (potted them up earlier this spring) and plan to see how it works.

That's exactly what I have including the sown webbing and grommets except mine is 30% shade. The 30% really isn't much shade. It's hardly noticeable when underneath. I think either would work for most fruit crops. I'd definitely go 47% for berries, maybe apples but probably not pears that like more heat. Either one will exclude larger insects like stickbugs and would probably help on codling moth if well sealed. There is another very similar that has the weave heat set in place. It might do better on excluding insects especially after a few years. Mine does have some holes and areas where insects might get through after 30 years use. I don't know if the heat set polypro would be as durable but would consider it if buying more. PS: The fabric does need protection at points of unusual pressure. So like on the poles supporting my melon screen I've tied cloth around the pole top. Between poles is one wire. No wear on the wire but the pole sticking up an inch or two higher needs the edges softened. I'll post a picture of that if needed. Here is a link that might be useful: heat set polypro shade cloth This post was edited by fruitnut on Wed, May 29, 13 at 12:08

Sorry to hear about your misfortune with the vagaries of the weather, Desertsage. However, here is a tale to re-address the balance. Up to about five or so years ago, I could guarantee a frost in mid-September to blacken off all my more tender salvias. In more recent years the frosts have kept away until the latter part of October - adding much to the enjoyment of my later flowering salvias. Last year was exceptional in that it was a heavy snowfall on 28th October that flattened my outdoor salvias. Now this year is exceptional yet again in that I have not yet had anything to knock out the beauties. If only it would continue so in order that those plants which I grow outside solely for their wonderful foliage i.e.dorisiana, gravida and leucantha could flower in situ. Sadly, I think I ask too much - need a bit more global (i.e. Hertfordshire) warming for that. Jim

Heil would be okay, but seems to be special order around here. I always had the system serviced/cleaned twice a year up until about 4 years ago. I took an HVAC class (learned just enough to be dangerous/stupid) and got my EPA certification, so I have been maintaining the two systems since then. Anything above charging/cleaning I still call for professionals. I don't presume to tell the professionals anything, but I can listen and ask questions so much better.