Joan J

Quick Facts

• Type: Fall-bearing (primocane) red raspberry; can be double-cropped for a summer + fall harvest
• Season: Early fall crop; summer crop (on floricanes) ripens around the same time as Nova
• Flavor: Good, classic raspberry flavor with pleasantly dry flesh
• Berry: Very large, firm red berries with small drupelets that hold size well and ship nicely
• Plant habit: Vigorous, thornless canes that are easy to manage and ideal for high tunnels
• Best for: High tunnel and open-field plantings needing early, high-yielding fall raspberries in Zones 4–8
• Hardiness & disease: Good winter hardiness; high-yielding and well proven in commercial plantings

Joan J is a high-yielding, thornless primocane raspberry that has quickly become a grower favorite, especially in high tunnel systems. Vigorous, spine-free canes make pruning, training, and picking more comfortable and efficient. The berries are very large, firm, and bright red, with small drupelets and a pleasantly dry texture that helps them hold and ship well. Fruit size stays strong through the picking season, and reports from growers show Joan J out-yielding Autumn Bliss by more than 30 percent in some plantings.

This variety ripens early for a primocane type, making it an excellent choice when early fall fruit is needed. In double-crop systems, the summer crop on overwintered canes ripens around the same time as Nova, adding flexibility to your harvest window. With its combination of high yields, thornless canes, and marketable fruit quality, Joan J is highly recommended for tunnels and open fields across Zones 4–8 where premium fall raspberries are in demand.

For spacing and plant counts tailored to primocane raspberries and tunnel layouts, see our Raspberry Spacing & Planting Guide before planting.