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Fall Gold Everbearing Raspberry

Rubus idaeus 'Fall Gold'

A unique yellow-fruited everbearing raspberry that produces sweet, mild berries on current-year canes. This thornless variety offers two harvests per year and exceptional cold hardiness. The golden berries are less acidic than red varieties, making them perfect for fresh eating and creating stunning dessert presentations.

Harvest

75-85d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

4–8

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Transplant

Harvest

Transplant

Harvest

Showing dates for Fall Gold Everbearing Raspberry in USDA Zone 7

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Zone Map

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Fall Gold Everbearing Raspberry · Zones 4–8

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

Spacing2-3 feet

SoilWell-drained, fertile soil with organic matter

pH5.6-6.8

WaterLow — drought tolerant

SeasonSpring

FlavorSweet and mild with low acidity, delicate raspberry flavor

ColorGolden yellow when ripe

SizeMedium to large berries

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 4	—	June – July	—	August – September
Zone 5	—	May – July	—	August – October
Zone 6	—	May – July	—	July – October
Zone 7	—	May – June	—	July – October
Zone 8	—	April – June	—	June – November

Complete Growing Guide

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0). Drainage: Good Drainage. Spacing: 3 feet-6 feet, 6-feet-12 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division, Stem Cutting. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Botanically the fruits are not berries (though they are usually called berries)– they are instead made of many small drupes. The fruits hold together in a hollow cone. Cultivars exist in various colors and tend to be more productive than the straight species.

Color: Gold/Yellow, Orange, Purple/Lavender, Red/Burgundy, White. Type: Aggregate, Drupe. Length: < 1 inch. Width: < 1 inch.

Garden value: Edible, Showy

Harvest time: Summer

Bloom time: Spring, Summer

Edibility: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and delicious when eaten out of hand. The fruit is also used in pies, preserves, and in wines. An herb tea is made from the dried leaves and some say that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.

Storage & Preservation

Fresh Fall Gold raspberries are highly perishable and should be refrigerated immediately after harvest. Store unwashed in shallow containers lined with paper towels at 32-35°F and 90-95% humidity for 3-5 days maximum. Don't wash until ready to use, as moisture accelerates spoilage.

For freezing, spread clean berries in a single layer on baking sheets and freeze until solid, then transfer to freezer bags – this prevents clumping. Frozen berries maintain quality for 10-12 months. Fall Gold makes exceptional jam due to its mild flavor and low acidity; add lemon juice to ensure proper gel formation. The delicate golden color is preserved beautifully in freezer jam. These berries also dehydrate well – use a dehydrator at 135°F for 12-18 hours until leathery but still pliable for a concentrated sweet treat.

History & Origin

Fall Gold was developed at the University of Minnesota's Horticultural Research Center and released in 1981 by breeders James Luby and David Bedford. This variety emerged from their breeding program focused on creating hardy, everbearing raspberries suitable for northern climates while offering unique fruit characteristics.

The cultivar represents a breakthrough in yellow raspberry breeding, combining the everbearing trait with exceptional cold hardiness down to zone 3. Minnesota's program specifically selected for the thornless characteristic and the variety's distinctive mild, sweet flavor profile that differs significantly from traditional red raspberries.

Fall Gold quickly gained popularity among home gardeners and small-scale commercial growers seeking diversity in their berry offerings. Its development was part of the University of Minnesota's broader mission to create fruit varieties adapted to harsh northern conditions, following their success with other cold-hardy fruits. The variety's name reflects both its autumn harvest capability and distinctive golden fruit color, making it a standout in the raspberry world.

Advantages

+Disease resistance: Deer
+Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Edible fruit, Wildlife Cover/Habitat, Wildlife Food Source
+Wildlife value: Attracts pollinators, bees, and butterflies for its nectar. Fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals and plants provide cover.
+Edible: Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and delicious when eaten out of hand. The fruit is also used in pies, preserves, and in wines. An herb tea is made from the dried leaves and some say that a type of tea made from raspberry and blackberry leaves is an excellent coffee substitute.

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Garlic

Repels aphids, spider mites, and fungal diseases while improving soil health

Chives

Deters aphids and Japanese beetles, attracts beneficial pollinators

Marigolds

Repels nematodes and aphids, attracts beneficial insects

Comfrey

Deep roots bring nutrients to surface, leaves make excellent mulch

Yarrow

Improves soil and attracts predatory insects that control pests

Tansy

Repels ants, mice, and flying insects while deterring Japanese beetles

Rue

Deters Japanese beetles and acts as natural fungicide

Nasturtiums

Acts as trap crop for aphids and cucumber beetles

Keep Apart

Black Walnut

Produces juglone toxin that inhibits raspberry growth and can kill plants

Tomatoes

Share similar diseases like verticillium wilt and compete for nutrients

Potatoes

Both susceptible to similar fungal diseases and viral infections

Nutrition Facts

Protein

1.01g(2%)

Carbs

12.9g(5%)

Fat

0.188g(0%)

Vitamin C

23mg(26%)

Iron

0.45mg(3%)

Calcium

16.4mg(1%)

Potassium

156mg(3%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #2346410)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Good resistance to common raspberry diseases

Common Pests

Raspberry cane borer, aphids, spider mites

Diseases

Cane blight, anthracnose, powdery mildew

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Fall Gold everbearing raspberry take to produce fruit?▼

Fall Gold produces its first crop 75-85 days after spring growth begins, typically yielding berries in mid to late summer. First-year plants will produce a fall crop on new canes, while established plants (2+ years) provide both summer and fall harvests. Full production capacity is reached in the third year.

Can you grow Fall Gold raspberries in containers?▼

Yes, Fall Gold grows well in large containers (minimum 20-gallon capacity) with excellent drainage. Use a quality potting mix amended with compost, and provide a trellis for support. Container plants require more frequent watering and fertilizing, and may need winter protection in zones 3-5 by moving containers to an unheated garage.

What does Fall Gold raspberry taste like compared to red raspberries?▼

Fall Gold has a distinctly milder, sweeter flavor than red raspberries with significantly less acidity. The taste is described as delicate and honey-like, making them excellent for fresh eating and appealing to those who find traditional raspberries too tart. The texture is similar to red varieties but slightly softer when fully ripe.

When should I plant Fall Gold raspberry canes?▼

Plant Fall Gold canes in early spring, 2-3 weeks before your last expected frost date when soil is workable but not waterlogged. In mild climates (zones 7-8), you can also plant in fall, 6-8 weeks before ground freezes. Avoid planting during hot summer months or when soil is frozen.

Is Fall Gold raspberry good for beginners?▼

Absolutely – Fall Gold is excellent for beginning gardeners due to its thornless canes, strong disease resistance, and forgiving nature. The variety tolerates some neglect better than many raspberries, requires minimal pruning compared to complex systems, and provides clear visual cues when fruit is ready to harvest.

Fall Gold vs Heritage raspberry – what's the difference?▼

Fall Gold produces golden-yellow fruit with mild, sweet flavor and thornless canes, while Heritage bears red berries with traditional tart raspberry flavor on thorned canes. Both are everbearing and cold-hardy, but Heritage typically yields more fruit per plant. Fall Gold is easier to harvest and maintain due to lack of thorns.