If you've checked the prices at your local supermarket lately, you know that raspberries don't come cheap. That's largely because they tend to squash easily, which makes them poor candidates for cross-country shipping. Fortunately, raspberries rank among the easiest fruits you can grow.
Harvest raspberries when they're fully ripe.
They'll be a deep shade of red, black or gold, depending on the variety. Pick berries at least twice a week when the plants are bearing. Don't be dismayed when the cores stay on their stems - they always do. Do your berry picking in the cool of the morning if you can, and keep your basket out of the sun. Avoid squashed berries by letting the fruit get no more than an inch or so deep in your basket.