Out of season right now. The next sowing window opens in November.
Growing Calendar
This month: May
Plan ahead for this crop
- •Check growing conditions
- •Prepare for next stage
Watch Out For
Raspberry beetle larvae tunnel into fruit
treat with an approved spray at first blossom if it was a problem the previous year
Spur blight causes dark patches at the base of canes
remove and burn affected canes immediately rather than composting
Birds strip ripe fruit within hours
net the entire row before the first fruits begin to colour; a temporary fruit cage works well
Grown Organically
Every method in this guide works with natural systems — no synthetic chemicals, no shortcuts.
Read our approachCommon Questions
About growing Raspberry in the UK
When do raspberries fruit in the UK?
Summer raspberries fruit from June to September on last year's canes. Autumn raspberries (primocane varieties such as Autumn Bliss, Joan J) fruit from August to October on the current year's new canes — these are the easiest type for beginners.
How do I prune raspberries?
Summer raspberries: after fruiting, cut all canes that have fruited back to the ground. Tie in new canes to fruit next year. Autumn raspberries: cut all canes to the ground in February — they fruit on new growth each year.
Why are my raspberry canes not producing fruit?
Most commonly caused by planting too deeply (crown should be at soil level), insufficient sun, or canes not being tied in and breaking in wind. Ensure canes are securely tied to a wire support system and in a position with at least 6 hours of sun.
Can I grow raspberries in containers?
Dwarf varieties such as Ruby Beauty are bred for containers (at least 40–50cm pots). Standard cane varieties grow too vigorously for effective container culture. In containers, water and feed regularly as plants cannot access nutrients from the ground.
Member guides
There's more to growing Raspberry than this guide covers.
Seasonal reminders, deeper guides, and the small adjustments that change a harvest.
