Raspberries are a rewarding and delicious fruit to grow at home, offering a continuous harvest from summer into autumn. With the right care, they will provide juicy, flavourful berries for years to come. This guide covers everything you need to know about planting, growing, and maintaining a healthy raspberry patch.
Choosing raspberry varieties
Raspberries come in two main types: summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting (also known as everbearing).
- Summer-fruiting raspberries produce a heavy crop in early to mid-summer on last year’s canes.
- Autumn-fruiting raspberries fruit later in the year on the current season’s growth and are generally easier to maintain.
Popular varieties include ‘Glen Ample’ for summer fruiting and ‘Autumn Bliss’ for an autumn harvest.
Where to plant raspberries
Raspberries thrive in a sunny or partially shaded, sheltered spot with well-drained, fertile soil. They prefer slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. If your soil is heavy clay or alkaline, consider planting in raised beds or large containers.
How to plant raspberries
- Timing: Plant bare-root canes between November and March, while they are dormant. Container-grown plants can be planted anytime.
- Spacing: Set canes 45 to 60 cm apart in rows 1.8m apart to allow airflow and easy access for harvesting.
- Planting Depth: Dig a hole deep enough to spread out the roots and position the plant so that the crown is just above the soil level. The first roots should be no more than 5cm below the soil’s surface.
- Support: Summer-fruiting varieties need a post and wire system to support the canes. 2 metre wooden posts at the end of each row with wire run between them should be sufficient. Tie the canes to the wires as they grow. Autumn-fruiting raspberries are more compact and often do not require staking.
Caring for raspberry plants
Watering: Raspberries need consistent moisture, particularly during dry spells and fruiting. Avoid waterlogging, as this can cause root rot.
Mulching: Apply a thick layer of organic mulch (such as well-rotted manure or compost) in spring to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Feeding: In early spring, apply an organic, general-purpose fertiliser high in potassium, such as sulphate of potash. This will encourage flowering and fruiting.
Summer-fruiting raspberries: Cut back old canes that have fruited immediately after harvesting, leaving the fresh green growth for next year’s crop.
Autumn-fruiting raspberries: In late winter, cut all canes down to ground level as they only fruit on new growth.
Common Pests & Diseases
- Raspberry beetle larvae burrow into fruit, making them unappetising. Control by removing affected fruit and using biological treatments.
- Botrytis (grey mould) thrives in damp conditions. Improve airflow and remove any rotting fruit to prevent spread.
- Aphids can transmit viruses. Keep an eye on new growth and encourage natural predators like ladybirds.
- Nutrient deficiency can occur in raspberries in the summer. Feed them with a high-nitrogen fertiliser and mulch each year to prevent this problem.
- Birds will often take the fruit as a tasty snack. Whilst this doesn’t harm the plant, if you would rather not share, protect your raspberries with netting. Check your netting daily to ensure nothing has gotten trapped.
Harvesting and Storing Raspberries
Raspberries are best picked when fully ripe, as they do not ripen further after harvesting. They should come away from the plant easily when gently pulled. Store in the fridge and use within a few days or freeze for later use.
If you’re going to store them in the fridge, don’t wash them first, as this encourages grey mould. They will taste their best when picked and eaten on the same day.
With the right variety selection, planting, and care, raspberries can be one of the most productive and satisfying crops in your garden. Whether eaten fresh, made into jams, or frozen for later, these delicious berries are well worth the effort. Happy growing!
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Frequently Asked Questions
1 – When is the best time to plant raspberries?
Raspberries are best planted between November and March while they are dormant. Bare-root canes should be planted in late autumn or early spring, while container-grown plants can be planted at any time of the year, provided the soil isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
2 – Do raspberries need full sun?
Yes, they thrive in full sun but can also tolerate partial shade. However, for the best fruit production, they should be planted in a sunny, sheltered spot with well-drained, fertile soil.
3 – How do I support raspberry canes?
The canes need support to keep them upright and make harvesting easier. Summer-fruiting raspberries should be grown against a post-and-wire system, with canes tied in as they grow. Autumn-fruiting varieties tend to be self-supporting but may benefit from light staking.
4 – What type of soil do raspberries need?
Raspberries grow best in moist but well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 6.0-6.5) that is rich in organic matter. Heavy clay soils should be improved with well-rotted compost or manure, and sandy soils should be enriched to retain moisture.
5 – How often should raspberries be watered?
Raspberries need consistent moisture, especially during dry spells and fruiting periods. Water deeply once or twice a week, ensuring the soil stays damp but not waterlogged. Mulching around the base helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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