Imagine having a raspberry patch that produces for months on end, instead of just a few fleeting weeks. It feels like a missed opportunity, doesn’t it? The plants are already in the ground, the canes are already trellised, and then it’s over until next year. But what if you could have a continuous harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season?
Summer-Bearing Raspberry Varieties
Summer-bearing raspberries fruit once on second-year canes, producing a concentrated flush in early to midsummer and then that’s it until next year. This means that year one is mostly about getting established, and year two gives you a dense harvest that all comes in all at once. For an early harvest, try these summer-bearing types of raspberry plants:
- Boyne is a cold-hardy Canadian raspberry variety that grows in zones 3 through 7, with vigorous canes and medium-sized berries that are a bit tart.
- Boyne is best for cooking and baking, and berries ripen late in June to early July. Give plants full sun and well-drained soil, and keep them watered well.
- Boyne has a tart flavor that deepens when cooked, which is why it’s been a jam staple for years. You can pick up some Boyne raspberry plants from Scenic Hill Farm on Etsy.
Another summer-bearing variety to consider is Killarney, which is cold-tolerant and can be grown in USDA growing zones 3 through 6. It has firm, bright red fruit and a cleaner, sweeter flavor than Boyne – it tastes better straight off the bush. Fruit ripens a week or two after Boyne, which stretches the summer window without much extra effort. You can get bare root Killarney raspberry plants from Burpee online.
For a mid-season harvest, try Nova, which is a productive variety that produces large, firm berries that don’t fall apart in the freezer and have a sweet yet mildly acidic flavor. This raspberry variety handles heat better than most summer-bearers, so this is a good option for gardeners in USDA growing zone 7 and parts of zone 8. Canes are sturdy and semi-thornless, so picking is faster and less painful than with most other types of raspberries. A pair of gloves like this from Amazon keeps your hands protected from thorns once the patch is producing. Shop Nova raspberry plants from Stark Bro’s.
Everbearing Raspberry Varieties
Everbearing types of raspberry plants fruit twice – once in fall on new canes and again the following summer on those same canes. This means that you can have a continuous harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season. Here are some of the most delicious and easy-to-grow everbearing types of raspberry plants:
- Cascade Delight comes out of Washington State University’s breeding program and is built for the Pacific Northwest, but it performs just as well in other areas. This variety produces large, conical berries with a balanced sweet-tart flavor and firm texture.
- Cascade Delight has a solid resistance to root rot and better tolerance of heavier soils than most varieties in this category. You can grow this midsummer ripening type of raspberry in zones 5 through 9. It’s a good option if drainage has been an issue with other varieties you’ve tried. Get starter plugs of Cascade Delight from Cane Creek Meadows on Etsy.
Another great everbearing variety to consider is Summit, which is a high-yielding variety that produces large, dark red berries with a sweet-tart flavor. This raspberry variety has a moderate growth habit and is resistant to powdery mildew. You can grow Summit in zones 4 through 8, making it a great option for gardeners in a wide range of climates. Give Summit full sun and well-drained soil, and keep it watered well to ensure a bountiful harvest.
For a late-season harvest, try Autumn Bliss, which is a fall-bearing variety that produces large, dark red berries with a sweet-tart flavor. This raspberry variety has a moderate growth habit and is resistant to powdery mildew. You can grow Autumn Bliss in zones 4 through 8, making it a great option for gardeners in a wide range of climates. Give Autumn Bliss full sun and well-drained soil, and keep it watered well to ensure a bountiful harvest.
How to Grow Raspberries for a Long-Lasting Harvest
Getting both summer-bearing and everbearing types of raspberries in the ground is central to a long-lasting harvest. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Plant multiple varieties together to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
- Give your raspberries full sun and well-drained soil to ensure a bountiful harvest.
- Keep your raspberries watered well throughout the growing season to ensure a continuous harvest.
- Use a trellis system to keep your canes upright and make picking easier.
- Prune your raspberries regularly to encourage new growth and prevent disease.
By following these tips and choosing the right varieties for your climate, you can have a long-lasting harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season. So why not give it a try and see what you can grow?
Remember, the key to a long-lasting harvest is to plant multiple varieties together and provide them with the right growing conditions. With a little bit of planning and maintenance, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season. Happy gardening!
When it comes to growing raspberries, there are many different varieties to choose from. Summer-bearing raspberries fruit once on second-year canes, producing a concentrated flush in early to midsummer and then that’s it until next year. Everbearing types of raspberry plants, on the other hand, fruit twice – once in fall on new canes and again the following summer on those same canes. By choosing the right varieties for your climate and providing them with the right growing conditions, you can have a long-lasting harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season.
So why not get started today and see what you can grow? With a little bit of planning and maintenance, you can enjoy a bountiful harvest of delicious fresh berries, jams, and desserts throughout the growing season. Happy gardening!
