Prelude Raspberry is celebrated as the earliest ripening summer-bearing raspberry variety, offering gardeners a delightful, early-season harvest. Known for its sweet, medium-sized berries, Prelude produces a robust crop in the early summer and sometimes provides a bonus fall crop on its primocanes. This versatility, combined with its cold hardiness, makes Prelude an excellent choice for regions with cooler climates and for those eager to enjoy fresh raspberries earlier than most other varieties.

Quick Facts:

Growing Zone: Suitable for USDA Zones 4-8.
Unique Variety: Prelude is the earliest summer-bearing raspberry, known for its vigorous growth, cold tolerance, and reliable early harvest.
Highly Popular: Loved by home gardeners and farmers for its early ripening and adaptability, offering a jump start on the raspberry season.
Flavor Profile & Uses: Prelude Raspberries are sweet, with a balanced flavor that makes them perfect for fresh eating, freezing, and using in pies, preserves, or smoothies.
Harvest Time: Floricane variety; ripens in early summer, typically around June, with a potential small fall crop on the primocanes.

History:

The Prelude Raspberry was developed at Cornell University in the late 20th century, specifically bred to be an early-season variety with cold hardiness and high yield. It quickly became a popular choice for gardeners and growers looking for an early harvest of raspberries without sacrificing fruit quality or hardiness. Its ability to produce a second, small crop in the fall makes Prelude a truly unique variety that extends the raspberry season in many gardens.

Prelude’s dual-cropping ability, early ripening, and cold hardiness have made it a top pick for northern gardeners and those eager to extend their raspberry harvest. Whether you're a home gardener or a commercial grower, Prelude offers a reliable, productive, and flavorful raspberry experience.

Growing Guide:

Bare Root Plant: This will come as a bare root plant, keep cool and moist until planting
Soil and Location: For optimal growth, plant your Heritage Raspberries in well-drained, fertile soil. They thrive in sunny to partly shaded locations, ensuring they receive enough light without being exposed to harsh afternoon sun. Space 18-30" apart.
Watering and Care: Regular watering is crucial, especially during dry periods, to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and keep roots cool. Annual pruning is recommended to remove old canes and promote healthy new growth.
Pollination: These raspberries are self-fertile, eliminating the need for a separate pollinator plant. This characteristic makes them an excellent option for gardens with limited space or for gardeners looking to simplify their berry patch setup.

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Non-GMO Commitment: At Growing Farmers and 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.

Prelude Raspberry Plant