Beginning berries in 7a

Hello All,

I am new to the forum but have been reading posts on different topics for months. You all are very knowledgeable growers and I appreciate how you all share information both novice and advanced freely and without ridicule or disdain. So, I thank you all who participate in these forums.

I bought a bigger piece of property on Long Island with the idea of creating some type of homestead. I am building five 12’x2’ raised beds. I plan to plant three rows of blackberries and two rows of raspberries. I have ordered Natchez, Osage, PAF, Triple Crown and Ponca for the blackberry beds. I ordered Caroline, Anne, BP-1 and Double Gold for the raspberry beds.

I think I might have enough cedar to create a sixth bed. I am torn on what to try and plant. I keep seeing Josephine raspberry and Newberry blackberry as two really good berries to grow but I cannot for the life of me find them for sale anywhere. Are those two varieties not sold in the nurseries these days? If not, how does one go about obtaining these varieties? Since I couldn’t find these for sale, I thought Cascade Gold and Tayberry might be interesting options for the collection. Is Tayberry worth the thorns?

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Tayberry is much like Raspberry, flavor wise
but far more productive. I’m sure that they will not like hot weather. Grow to perfection in the Puget Sound lowlands.

Do you think, in my zone 7a on long island, Tayberry would do well in partial sun instead of full sun?

Find the coolest place in the garden. Afternoon shade would help.