Raspberry plants are a rewarding addition to any backyard orchard, producing delicious berries that can be enjoyed fresh, baked into pies, or preserved as jams. They’re hardy, fast-growing, and offer different varieties to match nearly every climate. But before you add them to your garden, you’ll want to consider three essentials: chill hours, planting location, and variety selection with pollination in mind.

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Chill Hours: Preparing for Dormancy

Chill hours are the total number of hours a plant spends in temperatures between 32°F and 45°F over winter. These hours reset the plant’s cycle, ensuring vigorous growth and berry production when spring arrives.

Raspberries typically require 800–1,200 chill hours, depending on the variety:

• Northern states (Minnesota, Michigan, New York) often exceed 1,000 chill hours, perfect for most raspberry types.
• Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions average 700–900 hours, sufficient for many cultivars.
• Southern states (Georgia, Alabama, Texas) may only see 200–600 hours, making low-chill varieties like Fall Gold more reliable in warmer zones.

Knowing your region’s chill hours ensures you choose plants that will consistently produce.

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Planting Location: Sunlight, Soil, and Early Care

Raspberries thrive in full sun, needing 6–8 hours daily to produce large, sweet fruit. Soil should be rich, loamy, and well-drained. Avoid heavy clay, which holds water and may cause root rot.

To set up your plants for success:

• Place Nutra Pro First-Year Fertilizer Packs in the soil to provide slow-release nutrients.
• Mix in a soil moisture transplant blend to conserve water and reduce transplant stress.
• Use max growth berry shelters to guard tender shoots from rabbits, deer, and sunscald while encouraging early growth.

Raspberry canes spread quickly, so spacing rows 2–3 feet apart with 8–10 feet between rows allows room for growth and airflow, helping prevent disease.

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Varieties and Pollination

Raspberries are self-pollinating, but planting multiple varieties can extend your harvest and increase yields. Here are a few standout options:

• Black Hawk – A black raspberry cultivar with excellent flavor, prized for fresh eating and preserves.
• Brandywine – Known for large purple berries with a rich, wine-like flavor; excellent for juice and jelly.
• Fall Gold – A unique golden raspberry with a sweet, mild flavor; reliable even in warmer regions.
• Heritage – A classic red everbearing variety, producing berries in both summer and fall.

Planting a mix of these cultivars ensures color, flavor diversity, and longer picking seasons.

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Recipe: Raspberry Lemon Bars 🍋🍓

Raspberries add a burst of tart sweetness to this classic dessert. These bars are perfect for picnics or an afternoon treat.

Ingredients:

For the crust:

• 1 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup sugar
• Pinch of salt

For the filling:

• 3 eggs
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• ¼ cup flour
• Juice and zest of 2 lemons
• 1 cup fresh raspberries

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Mix crust ingredients, press into pan, and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Whisk together eggs, sugar, flour, lemon juice, and zest. Gently fold in raspberries.
4. Pour filling over crust and bake for 25 minutes. Cool completely before slicing.

These raspberry lemon bars are tangy, sweet, and packed with berry goodness.

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🛒 Where to Buy Raspberry Plants

For high-quality plants at the best value, the best choice is Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC:

✅ Best prices on premium bare root raspberry plants
✅ Non-GMO, climate-ready selections
✅ Fast shipping so plants arrive healthy and planting-ready
✅ Free 1-Year Plantsurance™ Guarantee – store credit if your plant doesn’t survive 🛡️

At Ty Ty, planting raspberries is always zero stress and all success.

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🌟 Final Thought

Raspberries are easy to grow, adaptable, and incredibly rewarding. By considering chill hours, preparing the right planting location, and planting flavorful varieties like Black Hawk, Brandywine, Fall Gold, and Heritage, you’ll enjoy months of juicy harvests.

Order your bare root raspberry plants today from Ty Ty Plant Nursery, LLC and enjoy the peace of mind of the best guarantee in the business.