Growing raspberries is a very special addition to any garden, allotment or patio. Not only do these juicy fruits make yummy additions but these plants are surprisingly easy and produce generous crops year after year.
Below is your complete guide to choosing, planting, and caring for raspberries.
1. Choose the Right Type of Raspberry
There are two main types of raspberries and your choice will determine the pruning and fruiting period:
Summer-fruiting raspberries
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Fruit once (June–July)
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Grow tall and need support
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Great if you want a big harvest all at once
Summer raspberry varieties include:
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Malling Jewel
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Glen Moy
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Glen Rosa
Autumn-fruiting raspberries
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Fruit August–October
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Shorter, don’t usually need support
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The easiest option for beginners
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Great for growing raspberries in containers or pots
Autumn raspberry varieties include:
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Polka
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Autumn bliss
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Heritage
Growing both types gives you fruit from early summer right through autumn.
2. When to Start Growing Raspberries
The best time to plant raspberries is November–March for bare-root canes or Spring to early summer for potted raspberries. But, always avoid planting when the ground is frozen or waterlogged.
If you're growing raspberries from canes, plant them as soon as possible after purchase but first, you’ll need to soak them.
How Long Do You Soak Raspberry Canes Before Planting?
Bare-root canes should be soaked in a bucket of water for 1 hour before planting. This rehydrates the roots and helps them establish quickly.
3. What Type of Soil Is Best for Growing Raspberries?
Raspberries love:
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Moist, well-drained soil
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Rich, organic matter (compost, manure, leaf mould)
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Slightly acidic to neutral pH
They do not like heavy, waterlogged clay. If your soil is poor, improve it with compost or grow in raised beds or pots.
4. How to Plant Raspberries (Step-by-Step)
The great thing about raspberries is you can grow them directly in the ground or in containers.
Ground planting raspberries
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Dig a hole big enough for the roots to spread.
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Plant the cane so the old soil mark sits at soil level.
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Space canes 45–60cm apart.
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Firm soil, water well, add mulch.
Growing raspberries in pots or containers
Raspberries grow brilliantly in large pots.
You’ll need:
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A container at least 40cm deep and wide
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Multi-purpose compost mixed with garden soil
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A sunny spot
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Regular watering
Autumn-fruiting varieties are the best for growing raspberries in containers, as they’re shorter and easier to manage.
Do Raspberries Need Support?
Summer-fruiting raspberries can benefit from support whereas Autumn-fruiting raspberries generally don’t need support - that’s another reason they’re perfect for pots.
When Do Raspberries Start Growing?
Raspberries wake up early so you’ll see new growth from March onwards, with canes shooting up quickly through spring.
When Do Raspberries Stop Growing?
Growth slows in late autumn so summer raspberries stop growing after fruiting in July and Autumn raspberries keep growing and fruiting until the first frost (usually October). By winter, the canes go dormant.
5. Caring For Raspberries
Raspberries grow best in consistently moist soil, especially during the fruiting season when they need extra water to support berry production. Try not to let the soil dry out completely, especially if you’re growing raspberries in pots, as containers lose moisture more quickly.
Mulching is one of the best things you can do for raspberries. A yearly layer of compost, leaf mould, or well-rotted manure helps improve soil structure, keeps moisture locked in, and suppresses weeds. It also protects the shallow raspberry roots from temperature fluctuations. In early spring, give your plants a balanced fertiliser to encourage strong, healthy growth for the season ahead.
Pruning Raspberries (By Type)
Pruning depends on whether you’re growing summer-fruiting or autumn-fruiting raspberries and getting it right makes a huge difference to your harvest.
Pruning Summer-fruiting raspberries
These varieties fruit on last year’s growth, so it’s important to remove only the canes that have already fruited. After you’ve harvested the berries in summer, cut the old, brown canes down to ground level. Keep the fresh green canes that have grown this year as these are the ones that will produce next year’s fruit. Tie these new canes to your support wires to keep them neat and upright.
Pruning Autumn-fruiting raspberries
Autumn varieties are far simpler to manage because they fruit on this year’s growth. In late winter, usually February, cut all the canes right down to ground level. Fresh new shoots will appear in spring and go on to produce fruit later in the year. This easy pruning method also makes autumn-fruiting raspberries ideal for beginners or anyone short on time.
6. Harvesting Raspberries
Harvesting raspberries is one of the most rewarding moments of the growing season. Once the berries start to ripen, you’ll find yourself picking every couple of days!
Ripe raspberries should come away from the cane easily. They’ll feel soft, full, and richly coloured, whether you’re growing a classic red variety or something more unusual like yellow or purple raspberries. If you have to tug, they’re not ready yet.
Because raspberries are delicate, it’s a good idea to place them gently into a shallow container rather than piling them up. They don’t store for long in the fridge, so enjoy them straight away or freeze them on the day of picking.
However, they do freeze beautifully — simply spread them out on a tray, freeze until firm, then transfer to a bag. This keeps them from clumping together and makes them perfect for smoothies, baking, or stirring into yogurt.
Harvest times depend on the variety you’re growing:
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Summer-fruiting raspberries are ready from June to July.
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Autumn-fruiting raspberries crop from August to October, often right up until the first frosts.
Regular picking also encourages the plants to produce more fruit, so check them often — especially in warm weather, when berries ripen quickly.
What to Do With Your Homegrown Raspberries
Once you start harvesting, you’ll quickly realise just how versatile fresh raspberries are. Their bright, tangy sweetness works beautifully in everything from breakfast bowls to homemade preserves and growing your own means you always have a delicious supply on hand.
One of the simplest ways to enjoy them is as a topping for porridge, yogurt, granola, or pancakes. Their natural sweetness means you don’t need added sugar and they add a burst of colour to any breakfast. Raspberries also make a wonderful garnish for drinks, just drop a few into a glass of sparkling water, prosecco, or homemade lemonade for a fresh, summery twist.
If you find yourself with a bigger harvest, it’s the perfect excuse to get creative in the kitchen. Homegrown raspberries are ideal for:
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Baking into cakes, muffins, or crumbles
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Blending into smoothies
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Stirring through ice cream or Eton mess
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Making raspberry jam or compote
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Freezing for future use
Raspberries freeze exceptionally well, so even a bumper crop never goes to waste. Simply freeze them in a single layer on a tray before transferring them to a bag perfect for using throughout the year.
Whether you enjoy them fresh, folded into desserts, or bottled up as a homemade gift, growing raspberries brings a taste of summer to your kitchen long after the season ends. If you'd like, I can now help you with a conclusion paragraph to tie the whole blog together!
With just a little care, you’ll be rewarded with armfuls of sweet, homegrown fruit year after year. Happy raspberry growing!