When to plant Raspberries in Birmingham

Rubus idaeus

Raspberry
Raspberry · Rubus idaeus

A hardy cane fruit for UK gardens, best grown in a sunny, sheltered spot with fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Plant bare-root canes while dormant, keep them well watered in the first season, mulch each spring, and tie in new growth so the plants stay productive.

180 cm · Full Sun · High Water

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Calibrated to Birmingham · last frost ≈ 27 Apr

Plant out November to March, harvest August to October. Frost risk October to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

Choose this for later-cropping types grown in a sunny, sheltered bed. They fruit on new canes, so pruning is simpler and the crop starts later.

  1. 01

    Plant Bare-Root Canes

    19 Nov to 29 Mar 2027

    Plant bare-root canes from 19th November to 29th March 2027 in fertile, moisture-retentive soil. Water in thoroughly at planting and keep the roots evenly moist until the plants are established. Container-grown stock can be planted when conditions suit.

  2. 02

    Water To Establish

    19 Nov to 27 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 19th November, water new canes regularly through the first growing season, especially in dry weather. A mulch of garden compost will help conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

  3. 03

    Feed And Mulch

    13 Mar to 12 Apr 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Mulch from 13th March 2027 with compost or well-rotted manure, then give a general feed if growth is poor. Repeat every 365 days while the canes are growing strongly.

  4. 04

    Net Against Birds

    1 Aug to 16 Aug 2027

    Put netting in place during 1st August - 16th August 2027 before berries start to colour. Keep the canes easy to reach and secure the edges so birds cannot get underneath.

  5. 05

    Harvest Ripe Fruit

    16 Aug to 30 Oct 2027

    Pick from 16th August 2027 to 30th October 2027 as berries fully colour and come away with a gentle pull. Harvest regularly and remove any soft or damaged fruit.

  6. 06

    Cut Canes To The Ground

    26 Feb to 28 Mar 2027

    In late winter, from 26th February 2027 to 28th March 2027, cut all canes down to ground level before new growth starts. Clear away the old growth so the new shoots can come away cleanly next season.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Raspberry to consider

Glen Ample

A widely grown summer-fruiting raspberry with large, good-flavoured berries and strong yields.

Malling Jewel

An early summer-fruiting variety that crops well in UK gardens and is often grown for reliable flavour.

Autumn Bliss

A classic autumn-fruiting raspberry with easy-picking fruit and a long cropping season.

Polka

A productive autumn-fruiting variety that gives good-quality berries over a long picking period.

Raspberry guides by town

See how Raspberry timing shifts in other towns with different frost dates.