Also known as
American Red Raspberry, Common Red Raspberry, Western Red Raspberry, Wild Red Raspberry, Framboise, Wild raspberry, European raspberry
Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) - Thunder Bay, Ontario by Ryan Hodnett (CC BY-SA 4.0)
2 years to reach maturity
Depending on the cultivar fruit is harvest in early summer or autumn.
More images of Raspberry
Rubus idaeus, or Raspberries as they are commonly known, are easy to grow fruit canes that produce tasty fruits that can be eaten fresh, frozen for later use or turned into jams, sauces and cooked dishes. There are summer and autumn bearing varieties that extend the season that will grow in most kitchen gardens, fruit patches or allotments. Raspberries are an edge of the woodland plant and grow best in slightly sheltered, partially shaded areas that do not dry out. Mulch with well-rotted garden compost or animal manure every other year to help suppress weeds and maintain the soil's moisture retentiveness, but in alternate years mulch with pine straw or bark to help maintain the slightly acidic pH that Raspberries prefer. Raspberry's spread by sending out suckers; these will need to be pulled up annually to keep the plant in the desired space. Thinning canes in summer to approximately 10 cm (4") apart will help to boost fruit production. Summer and autumn fruiting varieties have slightly different pruning times, with autumn fruiting canes being completely cut back in early spring. Summer fruiting canes that have finished fruiting need to be removed from the plant's base at soil level. Leaving this years growth to be next years fruiting canes.
Common problems with Raspberry
Keep fruit dry from blossom time to harvesting by watering at soil level to prevent fruit rotting. Promote airflow through the canes to prevent disease.
Raspberry Companion Plants
How to propagate Raspberry
Lift plants in winter and divide. The plant regrows from buds on the root system.
When canes touch soil, it will make new rootsand new plants.
Stem cuttings: Cut 20cm section of new growth off from late spring to midsummer. Dip the cut end into powdered rooting hormone and then into a moist propagation medium 10 cm deep. Roots in 2-4 weeks.
Special features of Raspberry
Bees are needed to pollinate the flowers.
Raspberries can be grown in large pots in the outdoors which helps to prevent them from spreading.
Other uses of Raspberry
Culinary; berries are used to make juices, deserts and jams.
Raspberries can be eaten fresh or used in cooking and baking. The leaves can be used to make tea and contain antioxidants.
Permanent and perennial plants that we can harvest soft fruit crops from.Explore all
Edibles to Plant Outside in April.
Provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged, these can be planted.