home grown raspberries from containers

Packed full of vitamins and anti oxidants, raspberries are easy to grow in containers.

All that is needed is the right size pots, the right variety of raspberry. Some soil and the correct amount of sunlight.

Plant between November to March and buy Autumn you could be enjoying your very first batch of delicious, organically grown super fruits.

Hopefully any questions you may have are answered below. Enjoy!


Pot Sizes and Planting for Pot Grown Raspberries

Are container grown raspberries easy to grow?
Pruning, watering, and feeding raspberries is extremely easy. You will wonder why you did not grow them sooner!
What is the best month to plant raspberries in pots?
Anytime between November – March. Raspberry plants are predominantly supplied as bare root roots in the dormant winter season, these are called canes (look like twigs with a bit of root at the base) Don’t worry, they will soon grow once Spring arrives and provide Autumn fruit.
Do raspberries grow well in pots?
Providing you choose the right pot size and the right variety of raspberry they do very well and can provide an abundance of sumptuous home-grown fruit.

Growing raspberries in a pot or container does mean you will have to provide nutrients by the way of a feed to maximise fruiting and the health of the plant (s)

What size and type of container do I need to grow raspberries?
For growing a single raspberry bush a container or pot 30 cm wide is recommended. If you have a pot of around 55 – 60cm wide 3 can be grown in the same pot.

You do not have to be fancy about your pot. An old bucket with drainage holes drilled at the bottom is fine. Care needs to be taken if using a black coloured container in full sun. Black will absorb sunlight which will dry the plant out quickly.  Try shading the pot with other pots positioned at the base to provide shade from the sun.

What soil should I fill the container with for raspberries?
Use a compost with John Innes No3. Often labelled as mature plant compost.

This type of compost has soil added which is needed for raspberries to grow successfully in pots. A normal compost without John Innes No3 will dry out far too quickly and have nothing for the root to grow into.

Can you grow raspberries in a bucket?
Yes absolutely. A standard sized bucket is ideal for planting a single raspberry plant. Ensure however holes have been made in the bottom for drainage.  

Where to Buy and Which Varieties are Best for Containers?

Where can I buy raspberry canes for pots and containers?
Online. Garden centres do sporadically supply potted raspberry bushes, but these, if available are expensive way to buy  and often sold out by the time you get there.

There are fantastic suppliers online here in the UK to buy raspberry canes with great choices of different varieties.

Which varieties of raspberry do best in pots and containers?
Autumn fruiting varieties are a must for pots and containers. Autumn Bliss, Joan J and Autumn Treasure raspberry varieties and robust plants that should not need any support and provide lots of fruit.

Feeding & Watering Container Raspberries

How often should I water potted raspberries?
Recommend is twice a week however this will depend on where your potted raspberry is positioned and what type of pot used. If planted in full sun in a terracotta pot for example you may find the plant needs watering more often.

My advice is to keep an eye of the plant and feel the soil, the top inch of soil should be always moist. Water according to the conditions. No one wants to lose a cherished plant.

If you have a few potted plants and time poor, then perhaps it is worth investing in a simple drip irrigation system. There are some great, off the shelf, simple to setup systems available.

Can you over water container grown raspberries?

So long as there is adequate drainage in the pot and it is not prone to waterlogging then no, you can not over water. Raspberry plants have a lot of foliage and can dry out quickly in the sun and wind. Water too much rather than too little is my advice.

What is best fertilizer for container raspberries?
Raspberries need a good balanced fertiliser in Spring to start them on their way and then a fertiliser high in potassium (potash) when they set flower for higher yields.

If you can bear the smell for a few days well rotten horse manure as a top dressing manure has all the nutrients necessary. A mulch of manure will also help with reducing times between watering.[/su_spolier]

Are used coffee grounds good for raspberries?
Yes, used coffee grounds contain a good source of nitrogen. The yellowing of leaves is often a sign that a plant is not getting enough nitrogen so if all there is to hand is used coffee grounds,  go for it.

Pruning Container Grown Raspberries

How do you prune raspberries in pots?

Pruning is the same for pot grown raspberries as it is for ground grown plant. as ground grown raspberries.  Between November to late February cut all stems down to ground level with secateurs.

This may seem a bit savage, however, as soon as the soil warms into Spring new growth will emerge and shoot up.

This is all the pruning that is required until next November – February.  

Do I need to support container grown raspberries?
Most Autumn fruiting raspberries do not need additional support. However, should they start falling all over the place then 2 or 3 bamboo canes inserted into the pot with some supporting twine does the trick.
Do you cut raspberries down every year in pots?
Yes, if they are an Autumn fruiting variety. Cut all stem down to the base of the plant and feed with a balanced fertilizer. 
What is the best position for my container raspberry plants?
Ideally you will want to place your container grown raspberries in the sunniest position of the garden so the fruits can ripen. A semi shaded position also works well. Avoid a shaded position however, your bushes will not bear many fruits.
Do container grown raspberries fruit in the first year?
Yes. When planting in pots and containers Autumn fruiting varieties are needed. Until the plants are established you may not get a huge crop, but they will provide plenty of lush raspberries to enjoy.
How can I protect from birds eating my fruits?
If the plants are not being placed in a fruit cage then crop protection can be by placing netting over the plants after flowering.