Polka

Quick Facts

• Type: Fall-bearing (primocane) red raspberry
• Season: Early to mid-fall; ripens 7–10 days after Polana, similar to Autumn Britten or Joan J
• Flavor: Good, well-balanced raspberry flavor with good sweetness
• Berry: Large, very firm red berries that hold color and do not darken as much as many varieties
• Plant habit: Vigorous, upright plants with higher vigor than Polana and very productive canes
• Best for: High-yield fall raspberry production for fresh market, tunnels, and field plantings in Zones 4–8
• Hardiness & disease: Good winter hardiness; reliable cropping when managed with standard primocane practices

Polka is a primocane raspberry from Poland that builds on the success of Polana with even more vigor and strong, upright canes. Plants are highly productive, carrying large, very firm berries that stand up well to picking, packing, and shipping. Fruit has good flavor and keeps a bright red color, without darkening as quickly as many other primocane varieties, which is a plus for retail displays and clamshell packs.

Ripening roughly 7–10 days after Polana, Polka fits into an early-to-mid fall window similar to Autumn Britten or Joan J, helping extend your primocane season. Its combination of vigor, berry firmness, and yield potential makes it a strong option for both high tunnel and open-field production across Zones 4–8. For growers who like Polana but want a slightly later, more vigorous partner variety, Polka is an excellent match.

For spacing and plant count recommendations for primocane raspberries, see our Raspberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.