Harvest Time for Red Raspberries in Oregon

Summer Berries

• In summer-fruiting cultivars of red raspberries, the cane grows one season and then produces fruit the next. During most growing seasons, summer raspberries in Oregon start ripening in early to mid-June and continue to produce through the middle of July. The Oregon Master Gardener Association says three varieties of red raspberries grow exceptionally well in the area: "Cascade Delight," "Willamette" and "Meeker." Most Oregon-grown raspberries in grocery stores are summer varieties such as these, according to the Oregon Raspberry and Blackberry Commission.

Autumn Berries

• Fall-bearing cultivars produce ripe berries twice a year: once in the summer, starting around mid-June, and once in the autumn, typically in September. Often, autumn-ripe fruit comes from canes grown in the same season. The Oregon Master Gardener Association recommends two fall-bearing cultivars of red raspberries for the area: "Heritage" and "Caroline." Red raspberries are also available as ever-bearing varieties, which produce ripe berries almost continuously from June until frosts in September or October. Mostly bred for Eastern zones, these cultivars don't flourish as well in the Pacific Northwest.

Wild Berries

• In Oregon, wild cane berries have a later season than domestic varieties. Depending on the elevation, most are ripe from about mid-July through the end of August. Wild red raspberries can be picked throughout the Pacific Northwest, but aren't very common in Oregon. Black raspberries, also called blackcaps, tend to be more prevalent. These sweet, dark berries are found in the same type of terrain as wild blackberries, though they aren't as widespread.

Picking Red Raspberries

• Red raspberries are ready for picking when the fruit reaches a deep crimson and the berry slides free with little tugging; if the cane bends and the fruit doesn't let go, the berry isn't ripe and should be left for another day or so. Small baskets work best for picking to keep the harvested berries from crushing one another. To keep raspberry canes healthy, pick fruit every three or four days during harvest time; leaving ripe raspberries on the canes can encourage disease and insects.