Prelude Raspberry Plant

Prelude Raspberry is widely celebrated as the earliest ripening summer-bearing raspberry available, offering gardeners a delicious jump start on raspberry season. This cold-hardy variety produces sweet, medium-sized red berries in early summer and often provides a small bonus fall crop on its primocanes. Prelude’s vigorous growth, adaptability to cooler climates, and reliable early harvest make it a favorite for gardeners eager to enjoy fresh raspberries ahead of most other varieties.

SHIPPING INFO: This product begins shipping in March. We will try to ship within the ideal planting window for your growing zone.

Why Grow Prelude Raspberry?

• One of the earliest summer-bearing raspberries available
• Sweet, flavorful berries perfect for fresh eating and preserving
• Cold-hardy and well suited for cooler climates
• Reliable early harvest with potential small fall bonus crop
• Easy to grow and self-fertile

Growing Information

🌱 Plant Type: Bare root raspberry (floricane / summer-bearing with possible primocane bonus crop)
🌱 Hardiness Zones: 4–8
🌱 When to Plant: Early spring, as soon as soil can be worked
🌱 When to Harvest: Early summer (typically June), with a possible small fall crop on primocanes

Cultivation Tips

• Soil requirements: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Avoid low spots where water may pool.
• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade. Full sun promotes earlier ripening and higher yields, though light afternoon shade can help in hotter climates.
• Watering: Water consistently, especially during establishment and dry periods. Soil should remain moist but not soggy. Mulching helps retain moisture and keep roots cool.
• Harvesting: Berries are ready when fully colored and release easily from the plant. Harvest every few days during peak season.
• Pruning: Fruit is primarily produced on second-year canes. After summer harvest, remove spent floricanes at ground level. Thin first-year canes in late winter to improve airflow and encourage healthy growth.
• Spacing: Space plants approximately 18–30 inches apart for proper airflow and cane development.
• Pollination: Self-fertile—no additional plants required.

Click here for a video on How to Care for Raspberries: Plants and Plugs

Click here for our Raspberry Growing Guide

History

Prelude Raspberry was developed at Cornell University as part of a breeding program focused on cold hardiness, early ripening, and high-quality fruit. Its ability to produce an exceptionally early summer harvest—along with a potential small fall crop—quickly made Prelude a favorite among northern gardeners and growers looking to extend their raspberry season.

Non-GMO Commitment: At The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.

Growing method: Conventionally grown, due to tissue culture propagation which ensures disease-free planting stock.