When should I plant raspberry canes?

November to March in the dormant season — bare-root canes are cheaper, establish better, and arrive by post when the season is right. Pot-grown canes can be planted year-round but they're more expensive and don't catch up to bare-root by the following summer.

What's the difference between summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting raspberries?

Summer-fruiting fruit on canes that grew last year (biennial canes); harvest June–July; bigger fruit, classic flavour; prune by cutting fruited canes after harvest. Autumn-fruiting fruit on canes that grew this year (annual canes); harvest August–October; smaller fruit but a longer picking season; prune by cutting everything to the ground in February. Autumn types are easier to manage.

How do I prune raspberries?

Depends on type. Summer-fruiting: after harvest, cut fruited canes (look brown and woody) to ground level; tie new green canes to the wires for next year. Autumn-fruiting: in February, cut all canes to ground level — the plant pushes up fresh canes that fruit the same year. Confusion is the commonest reason for poor crops; identify your variety before pruning.

My raspberries are spreading everywhere — how do I control them?

Raspberries spread by underground suckers and can become invasive. Bury a barrier (sunk paving slabs or pond liner) around the row 30 cm deep to stop lateral spread. Dig out unwanted suckers regularly through summer. Containers work for autumn-fruiting types (40-litre pots) but limit yield.

How long do raspberry plants last?

10–12 years from a single planting if well-mulched and properly pruned. After that, productivity drops and viruses build up; replace by buying new certified canes (don't transplant your own — virus carries over).

How do I store a glut of raspberries?

Freeze flat on a tray (single layer, no contact), then bag once frozen — they keep separate. Use within 12 months. Jam and freezing are the two main paths; raspberry vinegar is a delicate alternative. Fresh raspberries last 2–3 days in the fridge if dry; never wash until you eat them.

Raspberry — Grow

Raspberry

Rubus idaeus

fruit

About

Plant raspberry canes from November to March in the dormant season — bare-root canes are cheaper than pot-grown and establish better. Raspberries are very hardy (RHS H6) and shrug off UK winters. Plant 45 cm apart in rows 1.8 m apart, in moist, fertile, slightly acidic soil with full sun or light shade. Summer-fruiting varieties (Glen Ample, Tulameen) fruit on last year's canes — tie in new growth as it appears. Autumn-fruiting varieties (Autumn Bliss, Polka) fruit on this year's canes — cut everything to the ground in February. Net against birds from June. Both types crop heavily for 10–12 years from one planting; the easiest soft fruit to grow in the UK.

How to grow raspberry

1
Choose summer or autumn varieties
Summer-fruiting (Glen Ample, Tulameen, Glen Lyon): bigger fruit, traditional flavour, fruits June–July on last year's canes. Autumn-fruiting (Autumn Bliss, Polka, Joan J): smaller fruit, fruits Aug–Oct on this year's canes, easier to prune. Grow both for a long season.
2
Build the support
Two parallel rows of stout posts at each end of the row, with 2–3 horizontal wires stretched between (45, 90, 135 cm high). Canes are tied to the wires as they grow.
3
Plant the canes
November to March (bare-root). Dig a trench 30 cm deep; spread the roots out; cover with soil; firm in; water in well. Plant 45 cm apart in rows 1.8 m apart. Trim canes to 25 cm above the soil to force fresh growth.
4
Tie in summer-fruiting canes
Through the season, tie new (this year's) green canes to the support wires. These bear next year's fruit.
5
Cut out fruited canes (summer types)
After harvest, cut the canes that fruited this year right down to the ground. Leave the new green canes (this year's growth) for next year's crop.
6
Cut everything in February (autumn types)
For autumn-fruiting raspberries, in February (before new growth starts), cut every cane to ground level. The plant sends up new canes that flower and fruit on the same shoots that summer.
7
Net against birds
From June (summer types) or August (autumn types) until harvest finishes, net firmly on a frame. Birds take more raspberries than they leave on unnetted plants.
8
Mulch annually
Each February or March, top up with 5 cm of well-rotted compost or leaf mould. Holds moisture, suppresses weeds, slowly feeds the canes.

Common questions

The raspberry year in your garden

Dispatching imaginary bots to check your garden out...

What to do now

Hardiness Zones

H1a (tender)H7 (very hardy)

H1a

H1b

H1c

RHS H6–H7

USDA 5 equivalent