Fruit

When to Plant Raspberries

Prolific, delicious, and nearly carefree once established. Raspberries spread and produce for many years.

Sun

Full sun (6-8 hours)

Water

1-2 inches per week

Days to Harvest

365+

Difficulty

beginner

Spacing

24"

Frost Tolerance

high

The Short Answer

Raspberries are typically planted from bare-root stock or nursery plants in early spring, 2 weeks before your last frost date. Enter your zip code on our homepage tool for exact dates.

How to Grow Raspberries

Raspberries spread by underground runners and will colonize any area you allow them to occupy — plan your patch location with this in mind, and don't put them next to the garden if you value clean edges. Summer-bearing types produce on second-year canes (floricanes); everbearing types produce on first-year canes (primocanes) in fall and the same canes again in early summer. The simplest management for everbearing types: mow the entire patch to the ground in late winter and harvest only the fall crop. Heritage is the classic everbearing variety; Caroline has the best flavor.

Transplanting

Move seedlings outside 2 weeks before your last frost date, once soil temperatures reach 45°F.

Growing Tips

Plant bare-root canes in early spring. Summer-bearing types fruit on second-year canes. Ever-bearing types fruit on first-year canes in fall.

Companion Planting

Good companions:

Garlic Tansy

Keep away from:

Blackberries

Raspberries Planting Dates by State

Click your state for raspberries planting dates specific to your location:

Note: Planting dates are based on average frost dates from NOAA Climate Normals (30-year averages). Actual conditions vary year to year. Always check your local forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026