When to plant Raspberries in Cambridge

Rubus idaeus

Raspberry
Raspberry · Rubus idaeus

A hardy cane fruit for UK gardens. Plant bare-root canes while dormant. Summer types fruit on last year’s canes. Autumn types fruit on this year’s. Keep them watered in the first season, mulch each year, and tie in new growth.

180 cm · Full Sun · High Water

Add to garden

Calibrated to Cambridge · last frost ≈ 7 May

Plant out November to February, harvest July to September. Frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Growing guide for

Change the guide to see different planting timelines and tips.

They fruit on last year’s canes. The first crop comes after the plants have settled.

  1. 01

    Plant Bare-Root Canes

    8 Nov to 1 Feb 2027

    Plant bare-root canes from 8th November to 1st February 2027 in well-dug, fertile soil. Only plant if the ground is open, not frozen or wet. Set them at the same depth they were growing before. Cut new canes to about after planting, unless they are long-canes. Water in well.

    • Do not replant raspberries where they grew before.
    • Seed is a separate route.

  2. 02

    Water

    22 May to 4 Sept 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From 22nd May 2027 to 4th September 2027, water well in the first year, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year. Soak the soil, do not dribble.

  3. 03

    Feed And Mulch

    23 Mar to 22 Apr 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around 23rd March - 22nd April 2027, mulch with compost or well-rotted manure. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.

  4. 04

    Net Against Birds

    16 Jun to 4 Sept 2027

    Put netting over from 16th June 2027, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to 4th September 2027. Keep it taut.

  5. 05

    Harvest Ripe Fruit

    1 Jul to 4 Sept 2027

    Pick from 1st July 2027 to 4th September 2027 once the berries are fully coloured and come away easily. Harvest every couple of days in dry weather.

  6. 06

    Remove Fruited Canes

    4 Sept to 2 Oct 2027

    After last pick, from 4th September 2027, cut the fruited canes to the ground. Keep 6 to 8 new canes and tie them in.

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.