Everbearing Raspberries Keep the Harvest Going into Fall

Berry season may peak in spring and early summer, but gardeners don’t have to say goodbye to fresh fruit once the heat sets in. Everbearing raspberries—also known as fall-bearing varieties—extend the harvest window all the way into the cooler months.

These productive plants typically begin fruiting in mid to late summer and continue until frost. If you plant them in early summer, you might even see a small crop by autumn of the same year. But be prepared—these vigorous growers need sturdy support. Their canes can reach heights of up to six feet, so a strong trellis is a must.

Like traditional raspberries, everbearing varieties grow on two-year canes. While this year’s growth is producing berries, next year’s crop is already sprouting. Once a cane has finished fruiting, it should be pruned down to the ground in late fall or winter.

First-year canes might give a small harvest in their initial season, and they’ll grow tall over the summer. These canes can be trimmed back to where fruit appeared, or—if you prefer a simpler method—you can cut the entire plant down each winter. This low-maintenance approach resets the canes and still encourages healthy growth for the next season.

For gardeners who want extended berry picking and don’t mind a bit of pruning, everbearing raspberries are a rewarding choice that keeps on giving long after other fruits have faded.