Growing Raspberries Organically

There is something very special about growing raspberries at home.

Those little red berries appearing among the leaves, waiting until they're perfectly ripe, and then being able to wander into the garden and pick a handful to eat straight away...

Well, let's just say very few make it back to the kitchen! 😂

Raspberries are a fantastic fruit to grow in an organic garden. They don't need acres of space, although they do appreciate a little room to spread, and with the right support and a bit of seasonal care, they can reward you with delicious crops year after year.

Here in the Organic Yarden, I'm always looking for ways to grow more food naturally, and raspberries are a great addition to a productive garden.

So, let's get growing!

 Why Grow Raspberries?

Raspberries are surprisingly easy to grow once they're established.

They're:

• Perennial plants that can fruit for many years

• Perfect for a productive garden

• Delicious eaten fresh

• Great for freezing

• Wonderful in desserts and baking

• Loved by bees and other pollinators

• Suitable for gardens of different sizes

• Available as summer-fruiting and autumn-fruiting varieties

And, of course, homegrown raspberries taste amazing.

They're delicate little fruits, so being able to pick them when they're perfectly ripe is one of the real joys of growing your own.

 Where Should I Grow Raspberries?

Raspberries prefer a sunny, sheltered position.

Choose somewhere that receives plenty of sunlight and has good air circulation.

They can tolerate some light shade, but you'll generally get better flowering and fruiting in a sunny position.

Your raspberry patch should ideally have:

• Plenty of sunlight

• Fertile soil

• Good drainage

• Protection from strong winds

• Enough space for the canes and their support

Raspberries don't like sitting in waterlogged soil, so good drainage is important.

What Soil Do Raspberries Like?

Raspberries grow best in fertile, well-drained soil that holds moisture without becoming waterlogged.

Before planting, improve your soil with plenty of good-quality organic matter such as homemade compost.

A healthy soil is the foundation of organic gardening.

Rather than constantly trying to feed a plant once it starts struggling, I prefer to give the soil the best possible start and keep building it up over time.

 When Should I Plant Raspberries?

The best time to plant bare-root raspberry canes is during their dormant season, generally from late autumn through winter, provided the ground isn't frozen or waterlogged.

Autumn planting is particularly useful because the plants have time to establish their roots before the growing season begins.

Container-grown raspberry plants can generally be planted at other times of the year, but they will need plenty of water while establishing.

 A quick tip

Avoid planting raspberries when the soil is frozen, extremely wet or waterlogged.

Your raspberry canes would much rather wait for better conditions.

 How Far Apart Should Raspberries Be Planted?

Give raspberry canes enough room to grow and allow good airflow.

As a general guide, plant individual canes around:

45–60cm apart

If you're planting rows, allow approximately:

1.5–2 metres between rows

The exact spacing can vary depending on the variety and the support system you're using, so always check the growing instructions for your particular plants.

Remember that the little cane you buy isn't going to stay little!

 Raspberries Need Support

This is one thing I'd recommend doing before your raspberry plants get established.

Raspberry canes benefit from a sturdy support system, usually made using posts and wires.

The support:

• Keeps the canes upright

• Makes harvesting easier

• Helps improve airflow

• Prevents the canes flopping across paths

• Makes pruning easier

• Keeps your raspberry patch looking vaguely under control!

And believe me, a few canes can turn into quite a collection of canes surprisingly quickly.

Organic Yarden Tip

Put your support system in place when you plant your raspberries.

Don't wait until you've got a jungle of canes and then try to construct a support system around them.

Ask me how I know! 

 Watering Raspberries

Raspberries need consistent moisture, particularly when they're flowering and producing fruit.

This is especially important during dry spells.

Water deeply when needed rather than giving the plants a tiny sprinkle every day.

Try to water the soil around the base of the plants rather than constantly wetting the leaves and fruit.

Container-grown raspberries will need more frequent attention because containers can dry out much more quickly.

Mulching Raspberries

Mulching is a simple way to look after both your plants and your soil.

A layer of organic mulch can help:

• Retain moisture

• Suppress weeds

• Protect the soil

• Add organic matter over time

• Keep the roots cooler during warm weather

Homemade compost and other suitable organic mulches can be useful.

Leave a little space around the base of the canes rather than piling mulch directly against them.

 Raspberries & Pollinators

Raspberry flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinating insects.

Encouraging pollinators into your garden is an important part of growing organically.

You don't need to have a perfectly manicured garden.

In fact, leaving some flowering plants and creating different habitats can help support a much wider range of insects.

And those insects are working hard to help us produce our food.

 Summer-Fruiting or Autumn-Fruiting?

This is one of the most important things to know about your raspberry plants because the pruning method is different.

Summer-Fruiting Raspberries

Summer-fruiting varieties generally produce fruit on canes that grew during the previous year.

After they have finished fruiting, those old fruiting canes can be removed.

The new canes are kept for the following year's crop.

 Autumn-Fruiting Raspberries

Autumn-fruiting varieties produce fruit on the current season's growth.

For many autumn-fruiting varieties, the canes can simply be cut back close to ground level during the dormant season after fruiting has finished.

This makes autumn-fruiting raspberries particularly appealing if you want a simpler pruning routine.

Always check the instructions for your particular variety, as pruning can vary.

 Pruning Raspberries

Don't be frightened of pruning raspberries.

It can look complicated when you first see a raspberry patch, but once you understand which type you're growing, it becomes much easier.

The golden rule is:

Know whether your raspberry is summer-fruiting or autumn-fruiting before you start cutting.

Remove old, dead or damaged canes as appropriate and keep the plants open enough to allow good airflow.

And don't just cut everything because you've got the secateurs in your hand.

The secateurs are not a gardening fidget spinner.

 Protecting Your Raspberry Crop

Birds can be very enthusiastic about raspberries.

If you find your beautifully ripening berries disappearing overnight, some form of bird protection may be necessary.

Use suitable netting or other physical protection and make sure it is securely installed so birds and other wildlife cannot become trapped.

🐌 Pests & Problems

Organic gardening doesn't mean your raspberry plants will never encounter pests.

The trick is to encourage a healthy garden ecosystem and deal with problems sensibly.

Keep an eye out for:

• Aphids

• Raspberry beetles

• Slugs and snails

• Birds

• Fungal problems

• Damaged or overcrowded canes

Good airflow, healthy soil, sensible watering and keeping the raspberry patch tidy can all help reduce problems.

If you do spot pests, identify what you're dealing with before doing anything.

Not every insect sitting on your raspberry plant is there to cause trouble.

Some may actually be helping you.

 When Are Raspberries Ready to Pick?

Raspberries are best picked when they are fully ripe.

A ripe raspberry should come away from the plant easily with a gentle pull.

If you're having to yank it off...

it's probably not ready yet.

Pick raspberries regularly during the harvest period because ripe berries are delicate and don't last long once picked.

And don't worry if the bowl you brought into the garden somehow comes back half empty.

That's called quality control. 

What Can You Do With Raspberries?

If you actually manage to get any back into the kitchen, raspberries are incredibly versatile.

Try them in:

• Porridge

• Smoothies

• Pancakes

• Crumbles

• Cakes

• Muffins

• Chia puddings

• Homemade jam

• Desserts

• Fruit salads

You can also freeze them for later.

Although I still think the best way to eat a raspberry is standing beside the plant.

Try some of our Vegan Recipes