Raspberries are a great addition to your garden. Each plant typically produces one to two quarts of fruit. In addition, the leaves make a great tea and vinegar. Growing raspberries at home also ensures that your fruit is organic and free of pesticides.
Raspberries grow very well in USDA Zones 5 & 6 because we have a temperate climate with cold winters and warm summers—ideal conditions for raspberries.
Another reason raspberries are great to grow is that they are highly perishable. That's why you don't see them in the supermarket as often. Especially the yellow ones. Supermarket berries are also uber expensive. So much better to grow your own.
What Are Raspberries
Raspberries are a bramble (a vining shrub that often has thorns) and is in the rose family. They are sold as canes which are the woody stalks or stems. The berries have a hollow core and leave the inside on the mother plant when picked. Raspberries also have lots of little hairs on them.
They come in a variety of colors and two types. Summer and Everbearing or Fall. In Zone 6, both summer-bearing and everbearing raspberry varieties can be successfully grown.
Blackberries are the same family but a different species. Blackberries and black raspberries are often confused. To tell the difference with blackberries, the entire fruit comes off the stem, so they have a green core where they were attached to the cane. They also have a smoother shinier fruit.
A blackberry has a soft white or green center. Raspberries are hollow on the inside because they separate from their stem when plucked.
Types of Raspberries
There are two types of raspberries - summer and everbearing. The advantage of growing different ones is you spread out the harvest.
They will produce fruit at different times. So by planting a couple of different varieties, you extend your raspberry season.
Summer-bearing raspberries:
Growing season: Summer-bearing raspberries produce fruit once a year, typically in early to mid-summer, depending on the variety.
Flavor: Known for their rich and sweet flavor, summer-bearing raspberries are often considered the tastier of the two types.
Yield: These raspberries produce a large crop over a short period, making them ideal for preserving or enjoying fresh.
Pruning: Summer-bearing raspberry canes are typically pruned after fruiting to encourage new growth for the following year's crop.
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Everbearing raspberries:
Growing season: Unlike summer-bearing raspberries, everbearing varieties produce fruit twice a year. They bear a smaller crop in early summer and a larger one in fall.
Flavor: While still tasty, everbearing raspberries are often slightly smaller and have a milder flavor compared to summer-bearing types.
Yield: The two harvests provide a more extended season for enjoying fresh raspberries, although the overall yield may be less than that of summer-bearing varieties.
Pruning: Everbearing raspberry canes can be pruned to the ground in late winter or early spring, as they bear fruit on the current season's growth.
Best raspberry Varieties
Summer
Boyne: Very winter-hardy and vigorous with a tart raspberry flavor. Medium-sized berries are dark red. Harvest early to mid-July.
Killarney: Red summer variety. Very cold tolerant and self-pollinating. Ripens in July.
Jewel Black Raspberry Plant: Love it! I had very good luck with Jewel growing and producing well. Even when the goats and fawns “pruned“ them they kept up the vigorous growth. Prune them down to 4 inches tall when you plant them to encourage good root development. Ripens in early July.
Fall/Everbearing
Anne: I love this variety but it took me a while to figure out how to grow them well. They are prized for their sweet flavor and large yellow fruit.
The fruit bears on first-year canes (primocanes). Does best if you cut (or mow) it entirely to the ground after the season is over. Resistant to phytophthora root rot. (Read about my struggle with them below).
August Red: Very hardy. Bears fruit midsummer. Good for small gardens because it’s more compact.
Heritage: Heritage red raspberries are a popular choice due to their excellent flavor and ability to produce fruit in the first year. They are also known for their disease resistance and hardiness, making them well-suited to the variable conditions of Zone 6.
They don’t like wet feet so have them on a slope or well-drained spot. Harvest in July and September.
YIELD
I would plan on 4 - 5 plants per person in your household. A raspberry plant typically yields 1–2 quarts of fruit per year.
Raspberries have high yields per space they consume and thrive in various climates. Plants typically live 10 - 12 years. Once established, raspberries are relatively low-maintenance, producing fruit year after year.
Raspberries are typically purchased as primocanes with 5-10 to a pack. Canes have shallow fibrous roots. When you plant your canes it's a good idea to give them a brief soak in water.
Planting
Raspberries are typically purchased as primocanes with 5-10 to a pack. Canes have shallow fibrous roots. When you plant your canes it's a good idea to give them a brief soak in water.
You can also purchase them at a local nursery as potted plants. Raspberries are self-fertile meaning you don't have to purchase different cultivars to get fruit.
Location
Raspberries like a sunny location and well-drained soil. They will tolerate part shade like their wild cousins but won't produce as much. I always grow mine along the garden fence. This gives them some support and is a good use of space.
Soil
Prepare your soil before planting. Do a soil test and dig in lots of compost. Raspberries like full sun. Shoot for a pH of 6.0 - 6.8.
Spacing
The two types of raspberries have different planting needs.
Summer varieties should be planted two feet apart. They benefit from a trellis.
Everbearing varieties should be planted 1 foot apart. When planting spread out the roots. When you backfill make sure to firm the soil around the roots so there are no air pockets.
Mulch and Water
Raspberries benefit from mulch - either garden fabric or a nice layer of wood chips.
Make sure to keep young raspberries well-watered.
Fertilizing
Yellowing leaves means you need to fertilize. I spread compost around raspberries in early spring. If you have yellowing leaves spray with compost tea or Alaska Fish Emulsion (my personal favorite).
Pruning
So summer and everbearing raspberries are pruned differently.
For summer varieties you should prune out the canes that produce fruit. Cut them down to ground level.
This is because the floricanes or second-year canes are the ones that make fruit. I think it's easiest to prune them after you are done harvesting that way it's easy to tell which canes.
Pruning allows good airflow to keep plants healthy.
Summer-bearing raspberries:
Thinning: Keep about 4-6 of the healthiest canes per foot of row. Remove spindly or damaged canes to allow more sunlight and airflow to reach the remaining canes.
Height pruning: Trim the canes that remain to about 5-6 feet tall to encourage lateral branching, which results in more fruit-bearing laterals.
Tipping: Once the canes reach the desired height, cut off the top one to two inches to encourage branching.
My Book on Growing Fruit has growing information for 16 different fruits that grow well in Zone 6!
Everbearing raspberries:
Everbearing raspberries bear on the primocanes or first-year canes so they can have all their canes cut down to two inches after harvest.
Fall pruning: In late fall or early winter, after the final harvest, prune all the canes that bore fruit to ground level. This includes both the floricanes (older canes) and primocanes (first-year canes) that fruited.
Spring pruning: In early spring, thin out the canes to leave 4-6 of the healthiest canes per foot of row, similar to summer-bearing raspberries.
Height pruning: Everbearing varieties can be pruned to a height of 4-5 feet to facilitate harvesting and encourage lateral growth.
Tipping: To promote branching and increase fruiting, consider tipping the canes once they reach the desired height.
Trellis
Raspberries benefit from trellising. Put your trellis system in before planting so you don't disturb young plants.
As I stated above I plant brambles along garden fences. But that is just one way of trellising.
For compact plants in urban gardens an obelisk trellis works well.
A simple system with galvanized wire running between two posts works well. Place these on either side of the canes. The wire should be about 18 inches apart.
For smaller varieties, you can just use netting.
Steps To trellis raspberries
Select a Trellis: Choose a trellis system based on the variety of raspberries you are growing. Options include a two-wire system, T-trellis, or a traditional post and wire system.
Set Up Posts: Install sturdy posts at the end of each row of raspberry plants. Make sure they are securely anchored in the ground to support the weight of the growing plants.
Install Wires: Attach high-tensile wires to the posts at your desired heights. For raspberries, one wire should be positioned about 3 feet above the ground, and the second wire should be around 4.5 feet high.
Prune Raspberries: Before training your raspberry canes on the trellis, prune them to remove damaged or weak canes. This will help focus the plant's energy on producing healthy new growth.
Train Canes: Gently weave the raspberry canes through the trellis wires, positioning them to grow upward. Tuck the canes behind the wires to hold them in place.
Secure Canes: Use soft twine or plant ties to secure the canes to the trellis wires loosely. Avoid tying them too tightly to allow for growth and movement.
Regular Maintenance: Throughout the growing season, continue to train new raspberry canes onto the trellis and prune any unwanted growth. This will help improve air circulation and sunlight exposure, leading to healthier plants and better fruit production.
Small and urban Gardens
Raspberries require minimal space, making them suitable for small gardens or even container gardening. You can grow raspberries in containers and there are several dwarf or patio-sized varieties. A great dwarf variety is Bushel and Berry™.
To plant raspberries in small urban gardens, follow these steps:
Choose the Right Variety: Look for dwarf raspberry varieties suited for small spaces, such as "Raspberry Shortcake" “Bush and Beerry” or "Raspberry Yummy."
Select a Sunny Spot: Raspberries thrive in full sun, so choose a location in your garden that receives at least 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
Prepare the Soil: Ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter. Add compost or aged manure to improve soil quality. If you are using containers you have an advantage here.
Planting: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the raspberry plant. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly.
Spacing: Space dwarf raspberry plants at least 2-3 feet apart to allow for good air circulation and growth if they are in the ground or pot them in individual containers.
Pollinators
While raspberries are technically self-pollinating, meaning they have both male and female reproductive parts in each flower, they still benefit from pollinators like bees for more efficient and effective pollination.
Bees help transfer pollen between raspberry plants, which increases the chances of successful pollination and higher fruit yields. Ultimately, while raspberries can still produce fruit without pollinators, having pollinators around can definitely improve the quantity and quality of the harvest.
My Raspberry Struggles
I love yellow raspberries but I will say I struggled with them. My first planting of Anne died - I think because I didn't amend my heavy clay soil enough. My second planting produced okay but the plants got blight.
My third planting did fabulous because I really focused on their health. I dug and amended the soil so it was light and rich in nutrients. I kept them well-watered and put them on my orchard spray schedule. Yes, they were quite spoiled!
Ironically my black raspberries always do fabulous.
Pests and Diseases
Pests and Diseases Commonly Affecting Raspberries
When cultivating raspberries, it is crucial to be aware of the potential pests and diseases that may impact the health and yield of the plants.
Some common pests and diseases that raspberry growers may encounter include:
Pests:
Raspberry Crown Borer
Raspberry Cane Borer
Aphids
Diseases:
Raspberry Mosaic Virus
Verticillium Wilt
Phytophthora Root Rot
Powdery Mildew
Learn how to identify and fix mildews.
Wildlife
Birds, bunnies, and deer also like raspberries so you may need some netting. A warning if you raise goats - they will try to get to the raspberry patch!
Nutrition
One of the primary reasons to grow raspberries is their impressive nutritional value. They are packed with antioxidants, fiber, vitamins C and K, and manganese, offering significant health benefits. The high fiber content makes them excellent for digestive health, while their antioxidants can help combat inflammation and support heart health.
Harvest
Berries are easy to harvest - just grasp the berry and give a gentle tug making sure not to squeeze. Refrigerate berries right after harvest.
There is nothing wrong with harvesting and eating at the same time!
Raspberries freeze well. Rinse them in cool water and lay in a single row on wax paper on a baking sheet. Place them in a freezer till firm. Then put them in freezer bags or containers.
Harvest when the plant is cool and dry. So not after a rain. There are so many good things to make from raspberries.
Ways to Use Raspberries in Cooking:
Raspberry Sauce: Create a sweet and tangy sauce by mashing raspberries with sugar and a splash of lemon juice. Perfect for drizzling over desserts like cheesecakes or ice cream.
Raspberry Jam: Cook raspberries with sugar and pectin to make a delicious homemade jam. Spread it on toast, use it as a filling for pastries, or mix it into yogurt.
Raspberry Smoothie: Blend raspberries with yogurt, honey, and a banana for a refreshing and nutritious smoothie.
Raspberry Salad: Add raspberries to a mixed green salad with nuts, feta cheese, and a balsamic vinaigrette for a pop of color and flavor.
Raspberry Vinaigrette: Combine raspberries, vinegar, olive oil, honey, and Dijon mustard in a blender to create a vibrant dressing for salads or grilled chicken.
Raspberry Salsa: Mix chopped raspberries with diced red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, and lime juice for a fruity twist on traditional salsa.
Raspberry Crisp: Bake a raspberry crisp by layering fresh raspberries with a crumbly oat topping made of flour, butter, sugar, and cinnamon. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake: Swirl raspberry sauce into a creamy cheesecake batter before baking for a stunning dessert with a burst of fruity flavor.
Raspberry Lemon Muffins: Fold fresh raspberries into a lemon-flavored muffin batter for a delightful morning treat.
Raspberry Sorbet: Blend raspberries with sugar and lemon juice, then freeze the mixture for a refreshing and light homemade sorbet.
Experiment with these ideas to enjoy the sweet and tart flavors of raspberries in a variety of dishes.
Author Ame Vanorio is the founder of Fox Run EEC, a lifelong organic farmer and author. Check out her Author Page on Amazon
