How to Grow Raspberries From Seeds

Today we'll show you how to grow raspberries from seeds! Raspberries are fairly easy to grow and provide a beautiful plant as well! Known for their sweet and tart taste, raspberries are also packed full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Perfect to consume just by themselves, or add them in smoothies, drinks, or salads!

Growing Raspberries From Seeds

Climate:

There are numerous types of raspberries you can grow depending on your climate!  In more Northern areas where it tends to be a little cooler, plant hardy cold-tolerant varieties like Boyne, Nova, and Nordic. In the South, where it tends to be warmer, plant Dorman Red, Bababerry, and Southland varieties that can withstand the heat.

Raspberries are best grown in USDA zones 4-8 since they need a moist, somewhat cool climate to thrive. While most commercial raspberry varieties are grown by vegetative propagation, most home gardeners can easily just plant raspberry seeds.

Seed grown raspberries will make the same amount of fruit as propagated plants, and will offer a better quality of fruit.

The growing season for raspberries starts in early to mid spring, once temperatures have reached at least 60F (16C). Germination will take about four to six weeks, and you can expect the plant to produce fruit 16-18 months after the initial planting. This means that the first year the plant will not bear any fruit production.

Planting Raspberries From Seeds

1. To plant raspberries from seeds, sow the seeds in a plastic peat pot starting in mid-winter.
2. Push the seeds about an inch deep into the soil, and plant the seeds about an inch apart from one another.
3. Cover your raspberry seeds with a thin layer of sand.
4. Store in a dim and cool place indoors, such as a pantry or even a garage.
5. Keep the seeds moist by spraying with a spray bottle as needed.
6. Once temperatures reach above 60F, place your raspberry pot outdoors.
7. After 4-6 weeks, the seeds should start to germinate.
8. Once they've started to develop leaves and have grown about one inch in height, transplant them in a big pot or in the garden.
9. Once transplanted, cover the base around the plant with mulch. This will keep the soil nice and moist.
10. Right after planting, make sure to water!

Caring For Your Raspberry Plant

1. Your raspberry plant will need lots of sun and warmth. Make sure to place it in a sunny spot, where it will get at least 6 hours of sunlight.
2. Keep your raspberry plant far away from other plants such as fruits and vegetables – they do not get along well with other plants!
3. If planting more than one plant, try to keep 2-3 feet of space in between each plant.
4. Unless the weather is very dry, you should only have to water your raspberry plant once every two weeks. Raspberries retain a good amount of moisture, so over watering them could make them wilt and dye.
5. Prune at least once a year. Raspberry plants get very bush, so don't be afraid to cut down leaves and secondary stems that seem less than healthy!

Fertilizing:

Apply a few inches of compost and/or organic fertilizer in late winter.

Harvesting:

You can harvest your raspberries in late summer or early fall. Raspberries are ready to be picked when they have their classic rich color.

Pick your raspberries in the morning – you'll have less of a chance of smashing them!

Now all that's left to do is pick your raspberries and enjoy them! If you have too many, place them in a freezer bag and they'll be great for smoothies!

Happy Planting!