Rubus idaeus – everbearing red raspberry (‘Jaclyn’, ‘Prelude’ or ‘Autumn Britten’)

‘Jaclyn’ ripens the earliest among all commercial primocane (fall-bearing) varieties, in mid-July, to produce a summer and heavier fall crop (Everbearing). The crimson berries, with excellent firmness, are very sweet and highly resistant to insect and fungal diseases. Growing up to 6′ tall, these plants bear conical-shaped fruit 1-2 years after planting. Excellent firmness, very sweet flavor, and disease resistance.

This selection is primocane-bearing, meaning that the fruits will develop on shoots that are in their first year of growth. Cut back second-year growth to maintain a vigorous, healthy patch. For the most abundant production of fruits, snip the apex of the plant in early summer once new canes are nearly full grown but before flowers emerge. Even pinching a few inches from the top of a cane at this stage of growth will encourage branching and maximize fruit set. Hardy to -20°F but less tolerant of warm climates than other selections. Spreads by suckers to form colonies

‘Prelude’ is an everbearing variety; it produces a very early floricane main crop and a bonus fall (primocane) crop. Prelude is the earliest red-fruiting variety, ripening as early as mid-June,  the early summer crop is notably much earlier than other varieties and will continue until frost. A large percentage of its fruit will ripen in June and July. Fruits are of high quality, firm, and easy to harvest. Canes are more sparse but will sucker. Vigorous. Canes are erect, and upright and form a dense patch; fast-growing. Delicious for fresh eating. Fruits are sweet, medium to large. Very resistant to disease. Self-fertile.  USDA Zones 4-8.

‘Autumn Britten’ is considered the earliest fall-bearing variety. Plants are vigorous and high-yielding. Berries start ripening in late July and persist for several weeks to months. Autumn Britten is a preferred fall Raspberry for disease resistance and extraordinarily sweet flavor. The bright red berries are conical in shape, are quite large. Primocane-bearing- unlike some Raspberries, fruits are produced on first-year canes. The strong canes need little support, but some support helps them when they are in production. The canes tend to droop under the weight of the fruits. Cut back second-year growth to maintain a vigorous, healthy patch. For the most abundant production of fruits, cut the apex of the plant in early summer once new canes are nearly full-grown but before flowers emerge. Even pinching a few inches from the top of a cane at this stage of growth will encourage branching and maximize fruit set.

Raspberry Growing Requirements: Prefers 1/2 day to full sun. Full sun is ideal for maximum fruit production. Raspberries prefer well-drained loamy or sandy soils. Will tolerate clay soils if amended with organic matter. Raspberries spread by suckers to form colonies.