Colder temperatures mean our raspberry canes are still sleeping, putting us a bit behind last year's schedule. This photo is from May 11, last year.
The Great Raspberry Wait: Dealing With A Week-Long Growth Delay
If you’ve been staring at your raspberry patch lately and seeing nothing but brown sticks, don’t panic—you aren’t alone! It’s May 11, and while we’re usually seeing those first hopeful green nubs by now, the garden is playing it very cool this year. Literally. With temperatures staying lower than usual, our raspberry bushes are currently acting like teenagers on a Saturday morning: they’ve hit the snooze button and are refusing to get out of bed.
Compared to last year, we’re running about a week behind schedule. Raspberries are hardy, but they aren’t fans of waking up into a frost. They’re waiting for that consistent soil warmth to signal that it’s safe to start pushing out new growth. If you’re worried, you can try the “scratch test”—gently nick a cane with your fingernail. If it’s green underneath, the plant is alive and just being fashionably late to the party.
Patience is a Berry Sweet Virtue
While we wait for the canes to wake up, remember that the real magic is happening underground. Even if there’s no action on the surface, the root systems are gearing up for a big season. This delay actually has a bit of a silver lining: a slower start can sometimes protect the tender new shoots from a late-season “snap” frost that would otherwise turn them to mush.
We’re keeping a close eye on the patch, and as soon as the sun decides to stay a while, those leaves will explode almost overnight. For now, we’re practicing the hardest part of gardening: patience.
The berries are coming, they’re just taking the scenic route this year!
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