With a passion for growing installed at an early age, I have always been happiest outdoors in nature. After training as a professional gardener and horticultural therapist, I currently run horticultural therapy and community kitchen gardens in the UK, helping others access the many physical and mental health benefits of growing vegetables, fruit and plants. Favourite fruit: apples and pears Favourite vegetable: asparagus
Raspberries are a real treat in any summer garden. More importantly, you do not have to go without if you only have a balcony or courtyard, as there are a few raspberry varieties that are suitable for growing in pots or containers.
Commonly grown directly in the soil and under a fruit cage, raspberries (Rubus idaeus) can also be grown successfully in containers or pots. Read on to learn more about how to grow raspberries in pots, how to overwinter them and which varieties are most suitable.
Raspberries are one of the most delicious fruits you can grow, and you don’t need a large garden to enjoy this juicy summer treat. With the right techniques, pots and containers on a balcony, patio or deck can produce bountiful raspberry harvests.
Growing raspberries in pots opens up possibilities for gardeners without spacious planting areas. Containers provide flexibility to move plants into optimal sunlight. You can also tailor the soil, control invasive spreading and keep your berries safely away from pests. With a bit of knowledge, anyone can cultivate container raspberries and reap the sweet rewards.
Choosing Compact Raspberry Varieties for Pots
While all raspberries can grow in pots, compact varieties under 3 feet tall are ideal. Their bushy, well-branched growth resists toppling over in windy spots. Dwarf types like Raspberry Shortcake were bred specifically for containers. Everbearing raspberries yield two harvests per season, a bonus for pot growers.
Popular compact varieties include
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Raspberry Shortcake – Thornless dwarf reaching 2-3 feet, with abundant midsummer crops.
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Heritage – Everbearing red berries, under 5 feet tall. Tolerates most climates.
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Autumn Bliss – Early everbearing type with heavy yields from August through fall Grows to about 5 feet
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Baby Dwarf – Extremely dwarf plant under 1 foot tall. Everbears sweet red berries.
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Yellow Anne – Pale yellow everbearing berries with superb sweet flavor. Grows to 3 feet.
Preparing the Perfect Pot for Raspberries
Pick a container at least 16 inches wide and deep for each raspberry plant. Half whiskey barrels, large terracotta pots and bushel containers all work well. Unglazed clay pots help keep roots cool in summer. Ensure adequate drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soggy soil.
For larger varieties over 3 feet tall, insert stakes or small trellises to support canes and contain spreading. Tomato cages also work nicely to contain exuberant growth. Installing supports at planting prevents damaging roots later on.
Creating the Optimal Soil Environment
Raspberries thrive best in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0-6.5. Purchase a quality potting mix made for containers, then amend it with compost or peat moss to increase acidity. The improved drainage and aeration of container mixes is ideal.
Slow-release fertilizer like Espoma Plant-tone mixed into the soil provides nutrition for strong establishment. Later on, you can supplement with liquid feeds. Controlling nutrients in containers leads to better plant health.
Step-By-Step Planting and Care
Once your amended soil is prepared, make a hole just large enough to fit the bare root or potted raspberry plant without crowding. Set the crown right at soil level and backfill around the roots. Water thoroughly after planting.
Situate containers in full sun, ideally morning sun in hot climates. Raspberries need at least 6 hours of direct light for ample fruit production. Remember, you can move pots around to follow the sunlight!
Check soil moisture regularly, watering whenever the top inch feels dry. Soaker hoses provide a nice steady water supply. Feed with organic liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
When and How to Prune Container Raspberries
Proper pruning improves yields and keeps compact varieties from turning into a tangled jungle. Thin crowded canes and remove any that are damaged, diseased or dead.
Cut primocanes (first year green canes) down to 4-5 feet tall. Prune off floricanes (second year brown canes) at the base after fruiting. Always sterilize pruners between plants to avoid spreading diseases.
Overwintering Tips for Continued Success
In areas with harsh winters, protect potted raspberries by moving them into an unheated garage or shed once they go dormant. Water minimally over winter. Acclimate plants to warmth in spring before heavy watering resumes.
You can also overwinter plants outdoors. Wrap pots in burlap or bubble wrap to insulate roots from temperature swings. Group containers together against a sheltered wall for added protection.
Troubleshooting Common Raspberry Problems
Raspberries in containers can still attract some pests and diseases. Inspect plants weekly and treat issues ASAP before they spread. Here are some potential problems and solutions:
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Aphids – Knock off with strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap.
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Cane Borers – Prune out affected canes at least 6 inches below damage.
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Gray Mold – Improve airflow and avoid wet foliage. Remove and discard infected fruits.
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Birds/Wildlife – Protect ripening berries with netting.
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Anthracnose or Cane Blight – Prune and destroy infected canes. Promote drying of foliage.
With the right care, any gardener can succeed at growing raspberries in pots. Pay close attention to sunlight, soil, watering and variety selection. Your sweet harvest of homegrown berries will be well worth the effort!
Pictures of Raspberries Thriving in Pots and Containers
Compact raspberry varieties flourish in properly sized containers. Terracotta pots help regulate moisture and temperature. Mulch conserves water and reduces weeds.
Raspberry bush in a whiskey barrel
Half whiskey barrels like this provide ample room for raspberry root systems. The DIY bamboo teepee offers handy support for fruiting canes.
A properly amended potting soil encourages strong raspberry plant establishment. This everbearing variety yields berries from midsummer until fall.
Raspberry Shortcake in a blue pot
Raspberry Shortcake is an ideal dwarf variety bred just for containers. Its compact size and abundant crops thrive with minimal care.
Container raspberries against a wall
Situating pots against a sunny wall provides protection from wind while allowing full sun exposure. Trellises offer handy support.
Potted raspberries with netting
Bird netting safeguards ripening raspberry fruits against hungry wildlife. Just make sure to remove it once berries are picked.
Yellow raspberries growing in a pot
Yellow varieties like Anne offer a sweet flavor and unique color. Their bushy size adapts well to containers.
With the right care, pots can produce an abundant raspberry harvest! Proper watering and sunlight are key for container success.
You want to know who’s behind Plantura?
With a passion for growing installed at an early age, I have always been happiest outdoors in nature. After training as a professional gardener and horticultural therapist, I currently run horticultural therapy and community kitchen gardens in the UK, helping others access the many physical and mental health benefits of growing vegetables, fruit and plants. Favourite fruit: apples and pears Favourite vegetable: asparagus
Raspberries are a real treat in any summer garden. More importantly, you do not have to go without if you only have a balcony or courtyard, as there are a few raspberry varieties that are suitable for growing in pots or containers.
Commonly grown directly in the soil and under a fruit cage, raspberries (Rubus idaeus) can also be grown successfully in containers or pots. Read on to learn more about how to grow raspberries in pots, how to overwinter them and which varieties are most suitable.
What size pot do raspberries need?
Raspberry plants develop shallow but wide root systems and must be grown in a large container to fruit well. A 25L pot is recommended for compact varieties, but anything taller than 100cm will require a 40L container to provide adequate root space, nutrition and weight to keep it from toppling over. Being porous, terracotta pots are ideal; Avoid metal containers because they can heat up too much in the summer. Raspberries prefer free-draining soil, so any container used must have adequate drainage holes to prevent their roots from sitting in water.
How To Grow Raspberries In Containers
FAQ
What do everbearing raspberries look like?
September Everbearing Raspberry is one of the most popular home and commercial cultivars. It produces crops in two seasons, with a light crop in June followed by a heavy crop in September. The berries are medium-size, tart, juicy, rose-red raspberries with small seeds.
What should you not plant next to raspberries?
Raspberries should not be planted alongside nightshades like eggplant, potato, or tomatoes, as they are particularly susceptible to blight and verticillium wilt. Avoid planting raspberries near similar crops like boysenberries, blackberries, or gooseberries to prevent the transfer of soil-borne fungal diseases.
Do raspberries like full sun or shade?
Raspberry bushes grow best in full sun (at least 6-8 hours), in rich, well-drained soil.