When to plant

• Set out canes about 3 weeks before your average last spring frost.

Thornless types are easier to manage. Fruits on second-year canes.

Frost dates depend on where you live. Enter your ZIP code to get exact dates.

Dates by zone: 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b

Growing basics

Sun

Part sun (4–6 hours)

Spacing

3–5 ft

Soil temperature

At least 45°F

Containers

At least 15 gallons

Plant family

Rose family (berries, fruit trees)

Harvest per plant

About 8 lb

Companions

Keep apart: Horseradish. Horseradish spreads aggressively. Give it its own spot.

Keep apart: Mint. Mint spreads aggressively into neighbors. Keep it in a pot.

Keep apart: Fennel (bulb). Fennel slows the growth of most garden plants. Grow it on its own.

Keep apart: Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke). Sunchokes spread aggressively and shade neighbors.

Pests and problems

Grow it well

Tips

• Net berries before they ripen. Birds know when fruit is ripe a day before you do. Put netting over berries and cherries as soon as the first ones start to color.

More garden tips →

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