{"product_id":"raspberry-red-prelude","title":"Raspberry, Red, Prelude","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrelude Red Raspberry\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eRubus idaeus\u003c\/em\u003e 'Prelude')\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrelude is one of the earliest ripening red raspberries available, producing abundant crops of bright red, sweet berries weeks before most other summer-bearing varieties. Developed at Cornell University, this vigorous, cold-hardy cultivar is prized for its exceptional flavor, excellent winter hardiness, and reliable productivity. In addition to its generous early summer harvest, Prelude often produces a light fall crop on first-year canes, extending the raspberry season for home gardeners. Its early bloom, nutritious fruit, and adaptability make it an outstanding choice for homesteads, food forests, and regenerative edible landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Characteristics\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of the earliest raspberries to ripen\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrelude begins producing fruit earlier than nearly any other red raspberry, allowing gardeners to enjoy fresh berries at the start of the berry season. The medium-sized fruit is firm, bright red, and exceptionally sweet with classic raspberry flavor, making it excellent for fresh eating, desserts, jams, freezing, and baking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA productive variety with an extended harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrimarily grown as a summer-bearing raspberry, Prelude also has the ability to produce a modest fall crop on first-year canes under favorable conditions. This dual-cropping tendency provides an extended harvest season while maintaining excellent yields and vigorous growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA valuable plant for pollinators and edible landscapes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eClusters of white spring flowers attract native bees, bumble bees, mason bees, hoverflies, and other beneficial pollinators that improve fruit set and support healthy garden ecosystems. Dense canes also provide seasonal shelter for small wildlife, while the berries are enjoyed by songbirds if left unprotected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect for food forests and berry hedgerows\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrelude spreads by underground suckers to form productive hedgerows, making it ideal for the shrub layer of food forests, edible property borders, and homestead gardens. It pairs well with strawberries, currants, gooseberries, elderberries, and flowering companion plants that attract beneficial insects while improving overall biodiversity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduct Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSun requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium, fertile, well-drained\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom time:\u003c\/strong\u003e May\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBloom color:\u003c\/strong\u003e White\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit qualities:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium-sized; bright red; firm; exceptionally sweet with classic raspberry flavor\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit uses:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh eating, baking, jams, jellies, preserves, freezing, drying\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFruit ripening month:\u003c\/strong\u003e June (with a light fall crop possible in September)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePollination requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-fertile\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Hardiness zones:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4–8\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant Prelude in full sun with fertile, organically rich soil and consistent moisture for the highest yields. Prune out spent floricanes after harvest while allowing healthy new canes to develop for the following season. Whether grown in berry rows, food forests, or edible hedgerows, Prelude rewards gardeners with some of the earliest, sweetest raspberries of the summer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Farm Connection","offers":[{"title":"2 Gallon \/ 1-2'","offer_id":47405002883331,"sku":"SFS-1226","price":16.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/tfcnursery.com\/products\/raspberry-red-prelude","provider":"The Farm Connection","version":"1.0","type":"link"}