When to plant Raspberries in the UK

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
Plant out November to February, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

Growing guide for the UK

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

    mid-November to early February UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant bare-root canes from mid-November to early February 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

    mid-May to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From mid-May to late August, 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

    mid-March to mid-April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around mid-March to mid-April, mulch with compost or well-rotted manure. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.

  4. 04

    Net Against Birds

    mid-June to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Put netting over from mid-June, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to late August. Keep it taut.

  5. 05

    Harvest Ripe Fruit

    late June to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Pick from late June to late August once the berries are fully coloured and come away easily. Harvest every couple of days in dry weather.

  6. 06

    Remove Fruited Canes

    late August to late September UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    After last pick, from late August, 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.