Caroline Raspberry Bush (Rubus idaeus ‘Caroline’)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun (6–8 hours daily)
• Can tolerate partial shade but with reduced yields
• Best grown in a sheltered location with good airflow

Bloom Time:

• Summer to fall (June through October)
• Everbearing: light summer crop and a heavier fall crop

Size:

Height: 3 to 4 feet tall
Width: 3 to 4 feet spread. Upright, bushy growth habit.

Attributes:

• Produces large, firm, deep red berries with sweet, tangy flavor
• Everbearing: two harvests per season
• Self-pollinating and highly productive
• Excellent for fresh eating, baking, and preserves
• Cold-hardy in USDA Zones 4–8
• Good resistance to root rot and powdery mildew

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained, loamy soil with pH 5.5–6.5
• Water consistently, especially during fruiting
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Fertilize in early spring and again after the first harvest with a balanced fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10)

Prune in late winter or early spring:

• For two crops, remove spent floricanes after summer harvest
• For one large fall crop, cut all canes to the ground in late winter
• Space plants 2–3 feet apart in rows 6–8 feet apart

Pest Watch:

• Monitor for aphids, cane borers, and spotted wing drosophila
• Protect fruit from birds with netting
• Ensure good airflow to reduce fungal issues