Nova Red Raspberry
Nova is a mid-season red raspberry bred for reliability, disease resistance, and genuine flavor — a workhorse variety from the Nova Scotia Agricultural College that has earned a loyal following among home growers and small-scale fruit producers across North America for its consistent performance and no-fuss disposition. The berries are large, firm, and deeply flavored with the bright aromatic quality that makes a homegrown raspberry so far superior to anything from a grocery store, and they hold their shape well for fresh eating, freezing, and preserves alike. Nova is notably more disease-resistant than many older varieties, particularly against root rot and cane diseases that plague raspberries in humid Southern conditions, making it one of the more sensible choices for Georgia growers willing to give raspberries a try. Plant it in well-drained soil with good air circulation and it will settle in and produce reliably for years.
Latin Name: Rubus idaeus 'Nova'
Site and Soil: Full sun; well-drained, slightly acidic soil amended with organic matter — avoid low spots and poorly drained clay; raised beds and berm plantings work well
Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile; planting alongside another raspberry variety can improve overall yield
Size at Maturity: 4–6' h x 2–3' w; upright canes benefit from a simple trellis or post-and-wire support system
Ripening Time: Typically late summer in Georgia; a floricane variety that fruits on second-year canes for a single concentrated crop
Pests & Diseases: Above-average disease resistance, particularly to root rot and cane diseases — one of the stronger performers in humid conditions; good air circulation and well-drained soil bring out the best in this variety
USDA Zone: 3–8
A Note on Cane Management: Nova is a floricane variety, meaning it fruits on second-year canes. After harvest, remove the canes that have fruited at the base and leave the current season's new canes to overwinter and fruit the following summer — a simple two-step rhythm once you get the hang of it.