Crops › Raspberry (Summer Fruiting)
How to grow Raspberry (Summer Fruiting)
in the UK
Sow November to March, harvest July to August. About 90 days from seed to plate.
Raspberries are just cracking, aren't they? Proper soft fruit, easy to grow, and you get loads of them from just a few canes. They really earn their keep on the plot, especially come summer when you're after something sweet and fresh.
Sowing
You don't really 'sow' raspberries from seed, you see, you plant bare-root canes. The best time to get these in the ground is between November and March, when they're dormant. Dig a good trench, make sure the soil's nice and rich, and give them plenty of space, about 45 to 60 centimetres between each cane. They'll appreciate a bit of compost or well-rotted manure worked in, helps them settle in proper like for the season ahead.
Growing on
Once those bare-root canes are planted, you'll want to get some sturdy wires or posts in place straight away. Raspberries need something to lean on, you know, it stops them flopping over when they're laden with fruit. Just tie in the new growth gently as it appears, it'll save you a job later. They're not too fussy about where they are, as long as they get a bit of sun.
Looking after it
Raspberries do like a good drink, especially when they're swelling up with fruit, so keep them well-watered if it's dry. A good mulch around the base will help keep the moisture in and keep the weeds down, which is always a bonus. You don't need to do much feeding, to be honest, as long as the soil's decent.
What goes wrong
You might get a bit of bother with raspberry beetles; they love to munch on the fruit, leaving them a bit grubby. Keep an eye out for aphids too, little green flies. Planting comfrey or marigolds nearby can sometimes help keep the pests away, like a natural deterrent, which is always worth a try on the allotment.
Harvest
Come July and August, you'll be chuffed to bits with handfuls of ripe raspberries. Pick them when they come away easily from the core. Once a cane has fruited, cut it right down to the ground after harvest, and leave the strong new green canes to produce next year's crop. Any surplus freezes a treat on trays before bagging them up.
I always prune my summer raspberries as soon as the last fruit is off, not later. It gives the new canes a cracking head start for next year.
Dates for your plot
Type the first half of your postcode and the plant-out advice shifts to your area's typical frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Glen Ample This is a cracking summer-fruiting variety, well-known for its high yields and excellent flavour. It's a reliable choice for any gardener wanting a dependable crop for their wires and posts. | No club votes yet |
| Glen Moy An early summer raspberry, Glen Moy gives you sweet, firm fruits a bit sooner than some others. It's great if you're keen to get your first pickings of the season from your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Glen Prosen Known for its disease resistance and really good yields of firm, tasty fruit. This one's a solid performer for a consistent harvest throughout the summer. | No club votes yet |
| Malling Admiral A popular one, Malling Admiral offers a superb flavour and good firm berries that hold up well. It's a grand choice for eating fresh or for freezing down for later. | No club votes yet |
| Malling Jewel This classic variety is a firm favourite for its reliable crops and proper sweet, aromatic fruit. It's a cracking all-rounder and quite forgiving, making it good for beginners. | No club votes yet |
| Tulameen Tulameen produces really large, conical fruits with a fantastic sweet flavour and glossy look. If you're after a premium raspberry for eating fresh, this one's a winner. | No club votes yet |
| Glen Fyne An early-season raspberry that gives you a good, heavy crop of bright, tasty fruits. If you want to kick off your summer raspberry harvest early, Glen Fyne is a cracking option. | No club votes yet |
| Valentina This variety is known for its lovely, sweet flavour and is often a hit with the kids for its easy-to-pick berries. It's a great one for the family allotment, providing plenty for snacking. | No club votes yet |
| Cascade Delight If you've had trouble with root diseases, Cascade Delight offers good resistance and produces large, juicy fruits. It's a sturdy plant that gives a good, consistent yield. | No club votes yet |
| Leo A later-fruiting summer raspberry, Leo extends your harvest into late summer with its good quality, firm berries. It's ideal for stretching out the season of fresh raspberries from your plot. | No club votes yet |
| Glen Magna This vigorous variety gives you a heavy crop of large, firm berries that are excellent for eating fresh or for processing. It's a great choice if you're looking for big yields to freeze or make jam. | No club votes yet |
| Octavia Octavia is another good late-season option, offering excellent disease resistance and firm, sweet berries. It's a reliable performer that will keep you in raspberries towards the end of summer. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
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Cook the harvest
A dramatic and impressive hot soufflé with an intensely flavoured raspberry base, baked to a gorgeous rise and served the moment it emerges from the oven. Despite its daunting reputation, careful preparation makes this an achievable showstopper for a special dinner party.
39 min · challengingThe most loved British summer jam: bright, glossy and intensely raspberry in flavour. Raspberries are naturally low in pectin, so a little lemon juice helps achieve a soft, jammy set rather than a firm one — which is exactly as it should be. This is the preserve that encapsulates the British summer in a jar.
35 min · easyA showstopping British summer dessert with a crisp meringue shell, soft marshmallow centre, and a cloud of whipped cream piled high with fresh raspberries. The contrast of textures and the bright berry flavour make this a perennial favourite for garden parties and Sunday lunches alike.
110 min · mediumA luxurious tart with a buttery shortcrust shell filled with smooth white chocolate ganache and topped with rows of gleaming fresh raspberries. The sweet richness of the white chocolate is perfectly offset by the tartness of the berries, making every slice a memorable treat.
65 min · challengingWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: comfrey, marigold
Questions people ask
When do you sow Raspberry (Summer Fruiting) in the UK?
Sow Raspberry (Summer Fruiting) from November to March.
How long does Raspberry (Summer Fruiting) take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 90 days, with the harvest July to August.
Which Raspberry (Summer Fruiting) varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Glen Ample, Glen Moy, Glen Prosen, Malling Admiral and more.
Track your Raspberry (Summer Fruiting) from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.