Rainline Garden

When to plant raspberries in Seattle and Tacoma, WA

Plant raspberry canes in Seattle and Tacoma Mar 15 – Apr 26.

Moderate Plant bare-root canes

Why these dates

Seattle and Tacoma's typical last spring frost is March 2. In the west-side valleys, the soil is usually ready for raspberries around March 15.

West-side valleys. The Willamette Valley, Puget Sound and southern Oregon valleys. Long frost-free seasons, but soil stays cold and wet into May, so warm crops wait for warm soil, not just the last frost.

Difficulty
Moderate
Sun
Full sun
Spacing
2 to 3 feet apart in rows
Planting depth
Roots covered by 2 to 3 inches of soil
Frost
Hardy perennial; comes back every year
First harvest
Light crop in year two (fall-bearers can fruit the first fall)

Step by step

  1. Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
  2. Plant raspberry canes Mar 15 – Apr 26, 2 to 3 feet apart in rows. Roots covered by 2 to 3 inches of soil.
  3. Set up a simple trellis with posts and wire. After harvest, cut spent canes to the ground.
  4. Harvest: Pick when berries slip easily off the core. Check every two or three days in season.

Varieties that do well here

  • Meeker (a Northwest favorite)
  • Tulameen
  • Heritage (fall-bearing)
  • Cascade Delight

Watch out for

Root rot in soggy soil. Plant in a raised row or a bed that drains well.

Need well-drained soil; they die in soggy ground. A raised row helps in wet Northwest winters. West of the Cascades, fall planting works well too.

Common questions

When is the last frost in Seattle and Tacoma, WA?

Typically March 2. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by March 23. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Is it too late to plant raspberries in Seattle and Tacoma?

The spring planting window runs through April 26. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer. Fall planting also works well here.

How long until I can pick raspberries?

Light crop in year two (fall-bearers can fruit the first fall). Pick when berries slip easily off the core. Check every two or three days in season.

Also plant in Seattle and Tacoma around the same time

Planting dates for raspberries in nearby areas

Full planting calendar for Seattle and Tacoma · Raspberries in every city