When to plant Raspberries in Leeds

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

Calibrated to Leeds · last frost ≈ 24 Apr

Plant out November to April, harvest August to November. Frost risk November to April.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesYesNo

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

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

    22 Nov to 1 Apr 2027

    Plant bare-root canes from 22nd November to 1st April 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

    22 Nov to 30 Jul 2027 Dates as each sowing reaches this stage

    From 22nd 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

    10 Mar to 9 Apr 2027 Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Mulch from 10th 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

    4 Aug to 19 Aug 2027

    Put netting in place during 4th August - 19th 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

    19 Aug to 2 Nov 2027

    Pick from 19th August 2027 to 2nd November 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

    23 Feb to 25 Mar 2027

    In late winter, from 23rd February 2027 to 25th 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.