When to Plant Raspberry in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Plant June to August. Right now in September it is out of season. The next planting month is June.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Raspberry guide is written for the Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Raspberry

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Suckering deciduous cane fruit. Two types: summer-bearing (fruit on previous year's canes, one crop per year) and everbearing/primocane (fruit on current year's canes, extended harvest autumn into spring). Everbearing types are increasingly popular as they simplify pruning. Raspberries prefer cool climates. They struggle in subtropical and tropical heat. Need well-drained, slightly acidic soil. In hot zones, consider growing as a winter crop.

Best Planting Window for Cool Temperate

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
- - - - - P P P - - - -

P = Planting window

Plant bare root June-August.

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How to Grow Raspberry in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Plant bare root June-August.

Soil
Well-drained, slightly acidic, rich in organic matter. Raised beds recommended in heavy soils.
pH Range
5.5-6.5
Sunlight
Full sun in cool climates. Morning sun with afternoon shade in warm zones.

Companion plants: Tansy, Garlic, Marigold

Avoid planting near: Previous raspberry/blackberry site (disease buildup), Potato, tomato (share diseases)

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Raspberry

Recommended Varieties

  • Willamette (summer)
  • Heritage (everbearing)
  • Autumn Bliss (everbearing)
  • Glen Ample (summer)
  • Tulameen (summer)

Key Challenges

  • Botrytis in wet seasons

Pro Tips

  • Ideal raspberry climate. Melbourne and Tasmania produce excellent berries.
  • Full range of varieties.

Harvesting Raspberry

When ready: Full colour (red/gold depending on variety). Berry detaches from receptacle with gentle pull. If you have to tug, it's not ready.

How to harvest: Pick gently between thumb and forefinger. Berry should separate from white receptacle (which stays on plant). Harvest every 2-3 days.

Where to next

What raspberry costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

Supermarket Price

Current average retail: $31.56/kg (12-month range: $31.12–$36.00)

Grow your own and save on grocery bills.

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Common Questions About Raspberry

When do you plant raspberry in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.