When to plant · 10 plants

Berries

Strawberries, blueberries, cane berries and other fruit you plant once and pick for years. Pick one for its dates in your town and how to grow it.

Planting order

When each one first goes in around Portland, starting indoors where that comes first. Colder towns run later.

Early spring: Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Grapes, Hardy kiwi, Honeyberries, Currants, Gooseberries, Elderberries

Planting windows at a glance

Main planting window in five reference towns. Each plant's page has every town.

Plant	Portland	Seattle and Tacoma	Bend and Redmond	Spokane	Boise and Meridian
Strawberries	Mar 15 – Apr 26	Mar 15 – Apr 26	May 12 – Jun 23	Apr 15 – May 27	Apr 1 – May 13
Blueberries	Mar 15 – May 3	Mar 15 – May 3	May 12 – Jun 30	Apr 15 – Jun 3	Apr 1 – May 20
Raspberries	Mar 15 – Apr 26	Mar 15 – Apr 26	May 12 – Jun 23	Apr 15 – May 27	Apr 1 – May 13
Blackberries	Mar 1 – Apr 19	Mar 1 – Apr 19	Apr 28 – Jun 16	Apr 1 – May 20	Mar 20 – May 8
Grapes	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Apr 28 – Jun 23	Apr 1 – May 27	Mar 20 – May 15
Hardy kiwi	Mar 15 – May 3	Mar 15 – May 3	May 12 – Jun 30	Apr 15 – Jun 3	Apr 1 – May 20
Honeyberries	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Apr 28 – Jun 23	Apr 1 – May 27	Mar 20 – May 15
Currants	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Apr 28 – Jun 23	Apr 1 – May 27	Mar 20 – May 15
Gooseberries	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Apr 28 – Jun 23	Apr 1 – May 27	Mar 20 – May 15
Elderberries	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Mar 1 – Apr 26	Apr 28 – Jun 23	Apr 1 – May 27	Mar 20 – May 15

Growing berries in the Northwest

Berries are planted once and picked for years, so the site and soil you choose at the start matter more than anything you do later. Most want full sun and well-drained soil, and the region's wet winters are hard on roots sitting in soggy ground; raised beds or mounded rows help in heavy clay.

Blueberries need acidic soil, and most western garden soils are a little less acidic than they'd like, so test first and add sulfur if needed. Raspberries and blackberries need a support and yearly pruning of the canes that have already fruited. Strawberries are the quickest to reward you but are best replanted every three or four years. Grapes and hardy kiwi need a strong trellis and the warmest spot you have.

Most berries are planted in late winter or early spring, from bare-root or potted plants, while the weather is cool and moist. Expect a light harvest, or none, for the first year or two while the roots establish. Strawberries and blueberries are the easiest places to start.

Common questions

When is the best time to plant berries in the Northwest?

Late winter to early spring, from bare-root or potted plants, while the weather is cool and moist. Potted plants can also go in during fall west of the Cascades.

Do blueberries need two varieties?

They'll fruit alone, but planting two or more varieties that bloom at the same time usually gives bigger crops.

How long until berries produce?

Strawberries crop the year after planting, raspberries in the second summer, and blueberries take three or four years to give a real harvest.