Nova Red Raspberry

Light Needs

Partial Sun to Full Sun

(At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 9

Cold-hardy, productive, and delicious—Nova Red Raspberry is a resilient summer-bearing variety prized for bright red berries with a perfectly balanced sweet–tart flavor. Upright, nearly thornless canes fit neatly into borders, raised beds, and containers, while the plant’s dependable yields shine for fresh eating, jams, pies, and freezing. Hardy in USDA Zones 3–8, ‘Nova’ shrugs off rough winters and many common raspberry diseases, making it a standout for beginners and seasoned growers alike.

Expect a generous mid-summer harvest (with a light fall bonus in mild climates), excellent firmness for picking, and a tidy, upright habit that’s easy to train on a simple trellis. Pollinator-friendly blossoms bring garden activity, and the long picking window keeps the berry bowls full.

Nova Red Raspberry Care

Plant in full sun (6–8+ hours) in fertile, well-drained soil amended with organic matter; ideal pH is 5.5–6.5. Water consistently to keep soil evenly moist—especially during bloom and fruiting—but avoid waterlogging and overhead irrigation. Mulch 2–3" to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and protect shallow roots. Feed in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer; in high-production beds, a light post-harvest feeding can help replenish nutrients.

Train on a single- or double-wire trellis. Being a summer-bearing (floricane) type, remove spent fruiting canes right after harvest. In late winter, thin remaining new canes to ~4–6 strong canes per linear foot and tip to ~4–5 ft to encourage branching. ‘Nova’ is self-fertile; bird netting may be helpful as fruit ripens.

Nova Red Raspberry Spacing

For hedgerows, space plants 18–24 inches apart in rows 6–8 feet apart to allow airflow and easy access for harvest. For individual clumps or smaller gardens, 24–30 inches works well. In containers, choose a pot at least 18–24 inches in diameter with excellent drainage and place containers 2–3 feet apart to accommodate seasonal growth and maintenance.

Why Grow Nova Red Raspberry?

• Bright red, firm berries with balanced sweet–tart flavor

• Cold-hardy and disease-resistant; reliable in Zones 3–8

• Summer-bearing with potential light fall crop in mild areas

• Upright, nearly thornless canes—easy to trellis and pick

• Great for fresh eating, jams, baking, and freezing

• Suitable for beds, borders, and large containers

A robust, low-fuss raspberry that delivers bowl after bowl of flavorful berries—‘Nova’ makes homegrown harvests easy from cold climates to temperate backyards.