Growing Raspberries in December: Tips and Advice for Winter Planting

While winter may seem like a time when the garden rests, there’s actually a lot you can do to prepare for a productive growing season. One of the best crops to plant in December is raspberries. These hardy fruiting plants thrive in cool temperatures and can be planted during the colder months to establish strong roots in time for spring growth. By getting raspberries in the ground now, you can look forward to a bountiful harvest of delicious berries by the summer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to planting and growing raspberries in December, from choosing the best varieties to soil preparation and caring for your raspberry plants during the winter months.

Why Plant Raspberries in December?

Raspberries are perennial plants that go dormant in the winter, making this a great time to plant them. Planting raspberries in December allows the roots to settle and establish themselves while the plant is in its dormant stage, preparing them for vigorous growth in the spring. Winter planting also gives the canes time to acclimatize to their environment without the stress of producing leaves or fruit.

December-planted raspberries tend to be more robust and produce earlier and higher yields than those planted in the spring.

The Benefits of Planting Raspberries in December:

Early Establishment: Winter planting allows the roots to develop during dormancy, giving the plant a head start for spring growth.
Cold Tolerance: Raspberries are highly cold-tolerant, meaning they can withstand frost and low temperatures.
Stronger Plants: Raspberries planted in winter are less likely to experience transplant shock, allowing them to grow more vigorously when the weather warms up.
Higher Yields: By establishing raspberries early, you can enjoy a bigger and earlier harvest compared to spring-planted raspberries.

Choosing the Right Raspberry Varieties for Winter Planting

When planting raspberries in December, it’s important to select varieties that will thrive in your climate and soil conditions. Raspberries are typically classified into two types: summer-fruiting (floricane) and autumn-fruiting (primocane) varieties. The variety you choose will determine the timing of your harvest and the care your plants require.

Summer-Fruiting Raspberries:

Heritage: A reliable and popular summer-fruiting variety that produces large, sweet berries. It’s hardy and well-suited for winter planting.
Glen Ample: Known for its high yields and disease resistance, Glen Ample is a favorite among gardeners for its large, flavorful berries.
Tulameen: A high-yielding variety that produces firm, sweet berries, making it perfect for fresh eating or freezing. Tulameen is well-suited to colder climates.

Autumn-Fruiting Raspberries:

Autumn Bliss: This variety produces an abundant crop of medium-sized berries from late summer into autumn. It’s ideal for planting in December and offers a longer harvest period.
Polka: Known for its large, sweet fruit, Polka is a vigorous autumn-fruiting raspberry that performs well even in cooler climates.
Joan J: A thornless raspberry variety that produces high-quality berries in late summer and autumn. Joan J is a great choice for gardeners looking for an easy-to-harvest option.

Summer-fruiting raspberries produce fruit on canes that grew during the previous year, while autumn-fruiting raspberries produce berries on the current season’s growth. If you’re looking for an earlier harvest, go for summer-fruiting varieties. For a later, extended harvest, choose autumn-fruiting types.

Preparing the Soil for Raspberries

Like most fruiting plants, raspberries prefer well-drained, fertile soil. Preparing the soil properly is critical for the success of your raspberry plants, especially when planting in December.

Steps for Preparing the Soil:

Test the Soil: Raspberries thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Use a soil testing kit to determine the pH of your garden soil. If the pH is too high, amend it with sulfur to lower the pH. If it’s too low, add lime to raise it.
Improve Drainage: Raspberries need well-drained soil to prevent root rot, especially in winter when the ground may be wet. If your soil is heavy clay, improve drainage by adding organic matter like compost or peat moss, or consider planting in raised beds.
Incorporate Organic Matter: Before planting, enrich the soil with plenty of organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. This will provide essential nutrients and improve the soil structure.
Fertilize: While raspberries don’t need heavy feeding, applying a balanced fertilizer can help provide the nutrients they need to establish healthy root systems. A slow-release organic fertilizer is ideal for promoting long-term growth.

How to Plant Raspberries in December

Once your soil is prepared, it’s time to plant your raspberries. Whether you’re planting bare-root canes or potted plants, the process is simple and straightforward.

Planting Bare-Root Raspberries

Soak the Roots: If you’re planting bare-root raspberry canes, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting to rehydrate them.
Dig the Hole: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots of the raspberry cane, ensuring there is enough space for the roots to spread out.
Planting Depth: Place the raspberry cane in the hole so that the roots are just below the soil surface, and the cane’s crown is at or slightly above the soil line. Space the canes about 45-60cm (18-24 inches) apart, with 1.8m (6 feet) between rows.
Fill and Firm: Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the roots are covered, and gently firm the soil around the base of the cane.
Water: Water the canes well after planting to help them settle into the soil.

Planting Potted Raspberries

If you’re planting raspberries from a pot, the process is similar to planting bare-root canes:

Loosen the Roots: Gently remove the plant from the pot and loosen the roots if they appear root-bound.
Planting Depth: Dig a hole large enough for the root ball, making sure the crown of the plant sits at or just above the soil surface.
Watering: After planting, water thoroughly to ensure the roots make good contact with the surrounding soil.

Caring for Raspberries Through Winter

Once your raspberries are planted, they require minimal care during the winter months. Since raspberries are dormant in December, the focus is on helping them establish healthy root systems.

Watering

Raspberries need regular moisture, but in winter, the soil is often naturally moist from rain or snow. Ensure that the soil remains damp but not waterlogged, as too much water can lead to root rot. If the soil is dry, water the plants lightly to keep the roots moist.

Mulching

Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of the plants to protect the roots from freezing temperatures and to help retain soil moisture. Mulching with straw, wood chips, or well-rotted compost will also suppress weeds and improve soil structure over time.

Frost Protection

Raspberries are cold-hardy and can withstand light frosts, but young plants may benefit from extra protection during extremely cold weather. Use garden fleece or row covers if you’re expecting a particularly severe frost.

Pruning

Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy raspberry plants, but the method depends on whether you’re growing summer-fruiting or autumn-fruiting varieties.

Summer-fruiting raspberries: These plants fruit on last year’s growth, so you should prune them after harvest in late summer. In the first year of planting, simply leave the canes to establish themselves and prune in the second year.
Autumn-fruiting raspberries: These raspberries fruit on the current year’s growth, so you can cut back all the canes to ground level in late winter, around February. For now, let the canes overwinter and prune them in early spring.

Harvesting Raspberries

If you’ve planted summer-fruiting raspberries, you can expect to harvest your first crop by early to mid-summer. Autumn-fruiting varieties will begin producing fruit in late summer and continue into the fall.

Harvesting Tips:

Pick When Ripe: Raspberries are ready to harvest when they are fully colored and come away from the cane easily. The berries should be firm but tender to the touch.
Frequent Harvesting: Raspberries ripen over a few weeks, so check your plants regularly and pick the berries as they ripen.
Storage: Freshly picked raspberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. They also freeze well—spread them on a tray and freeze them individually before transferring them to a freezer bag for long-term storage.

Conclusion

Planting raspberries in December is a great way to get ahead of the growing season and enjoy a bountiful harvest of fresh, juicy berries. With the right variety, proper soil preparation, and care through winter, you’ll set your raspberries up for success and ensure they produce strong, healthy canes and an abundant crop.

By following the tips in this guide, your raspberry plants will establish well over winter and reward you with sweet,

homegrown berries by the summer. Whether you’re planting summer-fruiting or autumn-fruiting varieties, raspberries are a rewarding addition to any garden.

Find out more things you can grow in December here