Shelter should be established before planting takes place. Aim to have sheltered blocks of about 0.4-1.0 ha. Raspberry harvesting, grading, and packing are labour intensive activities. Picking begins in mid-late summer, but exact timing is dependent on variety and district. In Northern areas, picking begins in February and continues through late April or early May, on a daily, or alternate day basis, until cold temperatures reduce the crop and make harvesting uneconomic.
Warm sites are preferable.
Frosts damage flowers and fruit, and early autumn frosts will shorten the harvest. Avoid low-lying areas prone to frost. Although machine harvesters are not yet well developed for autumn raspberries, flat land is preferable if machine harvesting is contemplated. Contour should not limit machinery operations such as spraying and mowing. Cultivars Three cultivars currently available are Heritage, Southland and Autumn Bliss.