Fruit

Growing raspberries

Rubus idaeus · Rosaceae
By Hannah Price · Updated 12 November 2026

Raspberries calendar

Raspberries sowing, planting and harvest calendar (UK)
	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Plant	Plant in January	Plant in February	Plant in March								Plant in November	Plant in December
Harvest						Harvest in June	Harvest in July	Harvest in August	Harvest in September	Harvest in October
Prune		Prune in February						Prune in August	Prune in September

Timings suit lowland southern and central Britain and most of Ireland. In northern England and Scotland, or in a cold spot, start two to three weeks later in spring and finish earlier in autumn.

Overview

Raspberries are woody-stemmed perennials that send up fresh canes from the roots each year. A short row will keep a family in fruit for a decade or more, and the berries are expensive and fragile to buy, so they earn their space. Summer-fruiting kinds crop on last year's canes, while autumn-fruiting kinds crop on the tips of canes grown that same season.

Varieties to try

'Glen Ample' is a heavy, spine-free summer variety from Scotland that copes with cooler gardens. 'Malling Jewel' is an older, dependable early-summer choice. For autumn, 'Autumn Bliss' and 'Polka' are widely sold and generous, and 'Joan J' has large berries on spineless canes. Yellow 'All Gold' is worth growing for its mild, honeyed taste and because birds seem to ignore it.

Soil and site

Best soil: Moist but free-draining, slightly acidic soil rich in organic matter.

Raspberries hate waterlogged roots, which quickly rot in heavy winter soils. Improve clay with lots of organic matter or build a low ridge to plant into. A sunny or lightly shaded spot is fine. Very chalky ground can cause yellowing leaves because the plants prefer slightly acidic conditions, so mulch generously with compost or leaf mould.

Sowing and planting

Plant bare-root canes while they are dormant, from late autumn to early spring. Spread the roots out shallowly and cut each cane back to about 25 cm above ground after planting to push energy into new shoots. Summer varieties need a post-and-wire support with wires at roughly 60 cm, 1 m and 1.5 m; autumn varieties manage with a simple string corral.

Spacing: Plant bare-root canes shallowly, roots only a few centimetres below the surface.

Care

Keep the row weeded by hand, as hoeing damages the shallow roots. Mulch thickly each spring and water in dry spells, especially as fruit swells. Tie in new summer canes as they grow and pull out suckers that stray into paths. A sprinkle of general fertiliser in early spring is plenty.

Harvesting and storing

Ripe berries slip easily off the white plug when gently tugged; if they resist, leave them a day. Pick every couple of days in dry weather and use quickly, as they spoil within a day or two. Spread surplus on a tray to freeze individually before bagging. For summer types, cut fruited canes to the ground once picking ends and tie in the strongest new ones.

Common problems

Grey mould can rot berries in damp weather, so keep the row open and pick often. Aphids cluster on shoot tips and can spread viruses; squash them or encourage ladybirds and blue tits. Drought stress gives small, crumbly fruit, so mulching and watering matter. Replace the whole row on fresh ground if plants become weak and mottled.

Read more on the problems that most often hit raspberries:

Not sure what you're looking at? Try diagnosing it by symptom.

Month-by-month reminders

Jobs for raspberries come round in January, February, March, June, July, August, September, October, November and December. Each month page lists the rest of the garden's jobs for the same weeks.

Grow alongside

Sources

Names follow Kew's Plants of the World Online; timings and spacings reflect UK growing practice and were checked against the references below. Text is our own. See our editorial policy.