How to Grow Raspberries in New Zealand: A Beginner’s Planting Guide
If you’ve ever tasted a fresh, sun-warmed raspberry straight from the bush, you’ll know why they’re a must-have in the home garden. Sweet, tangy, and packed with flavour, raspberries are surprisingly easy to grow with the right care. In this guide, we’ll cover how to plant raspberries, the best time to plant, and our top raspberry care tips to help you grow a bumper crop right here in New Zealand.
🌱 When to Plant Raspberries
The best time to plant raspberries in New Zealand is from late autumn to early spring, when the plants are dormant. This allows your raspberry canes to establish strong root systems before the growing season kicks in.
If you’re planting bare-root raspberry canes, it’s important to get them in the ground quickly after purchase. For potted plants, planting can be done any time of year, but avoid the hottest summer days.
🏡 Choosing the Right Spot and Soil
Raspberries love full sun, so choose a site that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. They prefer well-draining, slightly acidic soil, rich in organic matter. Prepare your bed with compost and a raspberry plant fertiliser to give them a great start.
When planting raspberry canes, dig a trench and space each plant about 40–50cm apart, with 1.5–2 metres between rows. This spacing ensures good airflow and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
🌿 Raspberry Planting and Support Tips
Install a support system before your plants begin to grow. Raspberry plants need support such as wires or a trellis to keep canes upright and improve fruit quality.
Once planted, water well and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep the crown of the plant just above the soil line.
🍇 Raspberry Care Tips for Success
-
Water consistently, especially during flowering and fruiting.
-
Apply a balanced fertiliser for raspberry plants in early spring.
-
Prune raspberry canes annually—removing old canes after fruiting encourages new growth.
-
Protect developing fruit with bird netting, and watch out for common pests like aphids and raspberry beetles.
Know your variety—summer vs autumn raspberries require different pruning techniques. Summer-bearing raspberries fruit on second-year canes, while autumn varieties fruit on first-year growth.
🌟 Growing Raspberries in Pots
Short on space? Try growing raspberries in pots. Choose dwarf or compact varieties, use a large container with drainage, and add a stake or small trellis for support. Container-grown raspberries still need full sun and regular feeding.
🍓 Final Thoughts
Growing raspberries at home is a delicious way to add edible beauty to your garden. With the right setup, a little pruning, and proper care, your raspberry patch will reward you year after year.
Visit Palmers Garden Centre for quality raspberries, fertilisers, and expert planting advice. Let this season be the start of your berry-growing journey!