Joan J Raspberry review

They are much more similar than different - they are both red early primocanes, both very productive and large, cold hardy and both taste very good

Joan J vs Himbo Top; Joan J is about a week earlier, slightly smaller (but still big), slightly less productive (but overall very productive); it probably tastes a little better (rich and more raspberry-y) and it turns dark red so very easy to tell when it is perfectly ripe; it is a little worse with phytophthora but a little better with botrytis (but neither of these are big concerns)

Himbo top is slightly more productive, a tad bigger, maybe a tad less tasty, less rich (but still very good) and it has a little more susceptibility to grey mold (botrytis) if you have a lot of rain (which means you just have to be more diligent picking them -slightly less forgiving if a wet summer); very good with phytophthora

Gun to my head, Joan J but I love both

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All of this is good to hear. I have tried several varieties over the past 4 growing seasons but decided to give Joan J a try this year. As a home gardener flavor is important to me, but yield is becoming more important over time as I would like to be able to have enough harvested fruit to do something with it besides just fresh eating, although that is nice.

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