U-Pick Raspberry Season by State
Raspberries have a short but spectacular season. This state-by-state guide tells you when raspberry picking peaks across the US.
Raspberries are among the most perishable and delicious fruits you can pick yourself. Unlike blueberries or apples, which can be stored for days or weeks, a perfectly ripe raspberry must be eaten or processed within a day or two of picking. The reward for getting the timing right is extraordinary — fresh raspberries have a brightness and fragility that commercial berries simply cannot deliver after the rigors of transport and refrigeration.
Understanding the Raspberry Growing Cycle
Red raspberries grow on canes — long, arching woody stems — that have a two-year cycle. First-year canes (primocanes) grow but typically do not bear fruit. Second-year canes (floricanes) bear fruit in summer, then die back. This cycle determines when most raspberry varieties produce their summer crop.
However, many modern u-pick farms grow everbearing or fall-bearing varieties (sometimes called primocane-fruiting) that produce a summer crop on the tips of first-year canes and a fall crop in September and October. Farms with these varieties extend their harvest window significantly.
Raspberry Season by Region
Deep South and Texas: May
Raspberry growing in the deep South is limited by heat, but specialized operations in Texas (particularly central Texas hill country) and parts of the Carolinas can produce early summer crops in May and early June. These are rare and worth seeking out if you are in the region.
Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey): June through August
The Mid-Atlantic is excellent raspberry country. Summer-bearing varieties peak in late June through mid-July. Fall-bearing varieties produce again in August through October. Many farms in this region grow both types, creating an extended season.
Virginia's Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge foothills have particularly good raspberry farms. Pennsylvania's Lancaster County area has several family operations.
New England (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine): July through September
New England's cool summers are well-suited to raspberry production. Summer varieties peak in July, with fall-bearing varieties extending through September in most areas and into October in warmer microclimates.
Maine's longer days and moderate summer temperatures produce exceptional raspberry quality. Many New England farms are small and family-operated.
New York (Hudson Valley, Finger Lakes, Western NY): July through September
New York has numerous u-pick raspberry farms. Summer varieties peak in July, and fall varieties extend through September. The Finger Lakes region is particularly productive.
Midwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin): July through September
Midwest raspberry season runs from late June through August for summer varieties, with fall-bearing types extending into September and October. Michigan has a significant number of raspberry u-pick operations, particularly in the western Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula.
Wisconsin's cooler climate is excellent for raspberry quality, and farms in the Door County area and western Wisconsin have summer and fall-bearing varieties.
Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington): June through October
Oregon and Washington are among the finest raspberry-growing regions in the world. The Willamette Valley in Oregon produces exceptional red raspberries, with the summer season running from mid-June through August and fall-bearing varieties extending to October.
Washington's farms, particularly in Whatcom County and the Puget Sound lowlands, have raspberry operations that complement their extensive blueberry production.
Mountain West (Colorado, Idaho): July through September
Idaho's Magic Valley and Snake River Plain have raspberry operations, with harvest in July through August. Colorado's Front Range farms pick in July through early September depending on elevation.
Raspberry Varieties at U-Pick Farms
Most farms grow red raspberries, but you may encounter:
Encore, Tulameen, Cascade — classic red summer-bearing varieties with large, sweet fruit
Heritage, Caroline, Autumn Britten — everbearing varieties that produce summer and fall crops; Heritage is one of the most widely planted fall-bearing varieties in the eastern US
Golden raspberries — yellow-fruited varieties with a particularly sweet, mild flavor; less acidic than red; usually available at specialty farms
Black raspberries — native to North America, these have a distinctive rich, seedy flavor quite different from red raspberries; available at some specialty farms in the Midwest and East
Purple raspberries — a cross between red and black; less common but occasionally available
How to Pick Raspberries
Raspberries are arguably the most intuitive fruit to pick. A ripe raspberry releases from its plug (the central core) with almost no effort — a gentle pinch and it falls into your hand. If you have to pull, it is not ready. If it falls off at the slightest touch, it is overripe and will not survive transport.
Look for full, even color throughout the berry. Raspberries should have no white or green areas. The berry should be plump, not shrunken or hollow-looking.
Use a wide, shallow container. Deep buckets of raspberries create crushing pressure at the bottom. Pick into a container no more than 2 to 3 layers deep, then transfer to a flat.
Pick in the morning. Cool berries are firmer and more durable. Hot-weather picking produces fragile, soft fruit that bruises immediately.
Do not wash until ready to eat. Moisture accelerates deterioration in raspberries even faster than strawberries.
How Much to Pick
A pint of raspberries weighs approximately 12 ounces. A flat (12 pints) is roughly 9 pounds. Here is a practical guide:
- 1–2 pounds: Fresh eating for a few days
- 3–5 pounds: Fresh eating plus a batch of jam
- 10+ pounds: Full jam and preservation session, plus fresh eating
Storage: Unwashed raspberries last 1 to 2 days at room temperature and 2 to 3 days refrigerated. Freeze immediately if you cannot use them quickly — they freeze beautifully.
Pricing
U-pick raspberry prices typically run $3 to $6 per pound. Raspberries are the most expensive u-pick berry on a per-pound basis, reflecting their labor-intensive harvest and high perishability. Even so, this is often 30 to 40 percent below organic retail prices.