Double Gold

Family: Rosaceae Fruit

Sunlit, honey-amber berries of Double Gold ripen with a luminous, delicate sweetness and a tender, juicy snap.

The fruit is medium-large with a softly conical shape and a fragrant, floral perfume that makes each harvest feel like a small celebration. Grow Double Gold for fresh enjoyment and for bright, golden preserves and sauces that showcase its mellow, sunshine-forward flavor.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 9th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	Cage
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	45
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Double Gold’s honey-amber sweetness and floral lift make it a berry that tastes best when you don’t bully it—light heating for a quick lacquer, or eaten cold with dairy. Its tender, juicy snap holds up in a spoonable sauce without turning to jammy mush too fast.

Best Uses

fresh spooning straight from the bowl (cold, no fuss)
golden preserves and jam where you want the flavor to taste like sunlight, not pucker
satin sauces for pancakes, cheesecake, and vanilla ice cream
folding into quick compote or a warm reduction to lacquer desserts

Flavor Profile

sunshine-forward mellow sweetness floral perfume tender juicy snap gentle berry tang rather than sharp acidity

Kitchen Pairings

vanilla lemon zest white chocolate Greek yogurt champagne or sparkling wine almond

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease is most likely on Rubus idaeus (raspberry) and what should I do first?

Raspberry cane borers and cane blight/lesions are common on Rubus idaeus, often showing up as wilting canes with dark, oval cankers. Remove and destroy any damaged canes at the base as soon as you spot them, then keep foliage dry by watering at the soil line rather than over the leaves. For borers, cut out infested canes below the damaged section and dispose of them (don’t compost).

How often should I water during the main growing phase of Rubus idaeus?

During active cane growth and fruit fill, keep the root zone evenly moist—aim for about 1 inch of water per week, increasing during hot spells. Check by feel: the top 1–2 inches should be damp, not soggy; raspberries in waterlogged soil are more prone to cane problems. Water deeply so moisture reaches the crown and roots, then allow the surface to dry slightly before the next watering.

How can I tell when Double Gold (Rubus idaeus) is ready to harvest?

Harvest when the berries are fully colored for the variety and come off with a gentle pull—RUBUS idaeus fruit should release easily when ripe. Taste is your final check: ripe berries are sweet and fragrant, not tart and hard. Typically harvest spans about 75 days from planting/establishment, with picking occurring repeatedly over the ripening window.