When to plant Raspberries in Durham

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 Durham · average last frost around 10 May

Plant out November to January, harvest July to September. Typical frost risk October to May.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
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

    5 Nov to 29 Jan 2027

    Plant bare-root canes from 5th November to 29th January 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

    25 May to 7 Sept 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From 25th May 2027 to 7th 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

    26 Mar to 25 Apr 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around 26th March - 25th 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

    19 Jun to 7 Sept 2027

    Put netting over from 19th June 2027, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to 7th September 2027. Keep it taut.

  5. 05

    Harvest Ripe Fruit

    4 Jul to 7 Sept 2027

    Pick from 4th July 2027 to 7th 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

    7 Sept to 5 Oct 2027

    After last pick, from 7th 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.