Raspberries require little maintenance and are easy to grow and keep. Growers can mix different varieties of raspberries to achieve a fruiting season from June right through to the first frosts in the autumn.
We know that it can be expensive to buy raspberries from the shops, but if you follow our guide outlining how to grow raspberries, it’s simple to have an abundance of them right on your doorstep!
When and where to plant raspberries
We recommend that you plant out your bare root raspberry plants between November and March.
It is important that you choose a spot in the sun or the part shade, with soil that drains well to allow your raspberry plant to flourish. For best results, you should prepare the site several weeks ahead of planting your raspberries by digging it over and digging in the well-rotted organic matter.
How to plant raspberries
To start, dig out a planting hole deep enough for the soil mark on the stem of your bushes to remain at the same level as the ground when planted. Carefully spread out the roots, and firm in the plant with soil.
Raspberry plants tend to lean sideways, resulting in damaged fruit if they are not grown against supports. To create a simple trellis, you can use wire between fence posts or tree stakes 3 metres apart to support your raspberries. In a small patch, use single supports with raspberries growing around them. The supports should be roughly 2.5 metres in height.
Raspberries need plenty of water – keep your plants damp through the summer and scatter fertiliser over the soil around the canes in spring. We also recommend that you lay down mulch to help retain moisture levels.
Growing raspberries in containers
As long as you choose a big enough container, it’s perfectly possible to grow flourishing raspberry canes in planters.
Simply fill your planter with soil-based compost soil and plant your raspberry canes around the perimeter of your container, firm them in and water. Top tip: don’t plant more than 6 raspberry canes in one container.
We recommend regularly feeding the soil in the container with fertiliser throughout the growing season to encourage lots of fruit.
Are you a fruit lover? Take a look at more of our growing guides.
Harvesting your raspberries
The fruits will redden quickly – pick them regularly when firm, pulling each raspberry from its plug, which should be left intact as part of the plant. Once picked, cool the fruit to avoid it quickly perishing.
Your raspberries should remain fresh for 3-6 days once picked.
Throughout the year
Spring
It is important to feed your raspberries during the spring to help combat the dry weather. We recommend growers apply a balanced fertiliser and then mulch with compost to help keep the roots moist.
Summer
We recommend that you continue to keep your raspberry plant moist using fertiliser and fighting against pests.
Autumn
During the autumn, prune fruiting canes back to ground level. Using garden twine, tie in a group of the newly growing canes – choosing around 7 or 8 of the strongest – as these will fruit next year.
It is important to ensure that you remove the older canes. Canes that show any sign of disease or infestation should be removed. It’s also good practice to remove canes that grow up to block access to your rows of canes, or outside the desired raspberry patch. These will block light and air circulation.
Winter
During the winter, cut away ungainly top growth. For varieties that are late and autumn fruiting, prune old canes and tie in the new in mid-winter. Old canes which won’t fruit again are indicated by peeling greyish bark on stem and branch.
Ready to plant your own fruit now you know how to grow raspberries? Take a look at our raspberry collection.