Raspberries Planting Guide
raspberries this month
Everything below applies to raspberries broadly. For a plan that's dialled into your county's frost dates and soil, tap your location.
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How to water raspberries
About an inch of water a week keeps raspberries happy. Check your weather forecast before watering — skip if rain is coming.
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Where to put raspberries
raspberries wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
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Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant raspberries. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.
Raspberries are beloved bramble fruits producing sweet, delicate berries in red, golden, black, and purple varieties. They spread by underground runners and are very productive.
Rubus idaeus · Fruit · Rosaceae family · 365–730 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Raspberries Planting Dates
Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.
Where Can You Grow Raspberries?
Raspberries Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Raspberries planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 3a | — | — | Jun 12 | — |
| Zone 3b | — | — | Jun 7 | — |
| Zone 4a | — | — | Jun 3 | — |
| Zone 4b | — | — | May 29 | — |
| Zone 5a | — | — | May 16 | — |
| Zone 5b | — | — | May 9 | — |
| Zone 6a | — | — | May 1 | — |
| Zone 6b | — | — | Apr 24 | — |
| Zone 7a | — | — | Apr 15 | — |
| Zone 7b | — | — | Apr 8 | — |
| Zone 8a | — | — | Mar 29 | — |
| Zone 8b | — | — | Mar 18 | — |
| Zone 9a | — | — | Feb 24 | — |
| Zone 9b | — | — | Feb 8 | — |
Why are some columns showing "—"?
Start Indoors shows "—" because Raspberries is typically direct sown outdoors rather than started indoors. It germinates quickly and doesn't transplant well.
Direct Sow shows "—" because Raspberries benefits from being started indoors first, then transplanted after the last frost.
How to Plant Raspberries
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
5.5 – 6.5
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 3a – 9b
📅 Days to Maturity
365–730 days
Long-season crop. Start indoors in cold climates to get a head start.
👪 Plant Family
Rosaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Rosaceae family crops grew last year.
How Much Raspberries to Grow
Raspberries takes 365–730 days to mature. In most zones you'll get one harvest per season, so plant enough to last.
Companion Planting for Raspberries
✅ Good Companions
❌ Keep Away From
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Raspberries
Provide a trellis for support. Prune summer-bearing types by removing spent canes after harvest. For ever-bearing types, mow all canes in late winter for a single fall crop.
Saving Raspberries Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Sharp bypass pruners for clean cuts on fruit trees, berry bushes, and woody herbs.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.
Seed Saving & Storage Guide
Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.
- 200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
- Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
- Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant
Raspberries by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Raspberries?
Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) takes 365 to 730 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Raspberries grow in?
Raspberries can be grown in USDA zones 3a through 9b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Raspberries need?
Growing Raspberries requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 5.5 to 6.5.