How to Plant, Grow, Prune, and Harvest Currants

Plant currants in an organic potting mix. Keep the soil evenly moist; feed plants an all-purpose fertilizer. Repot currants every three years after harvest; trim roots as necessary to avoid becoming root-bound. Renew the soil when repotting.

How do you plant currants?
How do you plant redcurrant bushes?
Can you grow currants from cuttings?
When can you transplant currant bushes?
Do currants need full sun?
Why is black currant illegal in the US?
What soil do redcurrants grow best in?
How much space does a blackcurrant bush need?
Do you prune red currant bushes?
Can you take a cutting from a Gooseberry Bush?
When can I take cuttings from currants?
How do you take a cutting from a currant bush?

How do you plant currants?

Learn About Currant

Plant currants in full sun in an area with well-drained soil with a pH of 5.5-7.0.
Currants prefer a medium to heavy soil with several inches of organic matter or compost mixed in.
Before planting, cut all stems to 6-10 inches above ground level.
Space plants 4-6 feet apart.

How do you plant redcurrant bushes?

How to plant redcurrant bushes. Make a hole wide enough for the roots, spread them out making sure the soil mark on the stem stays level with the soil. Place the plant in the hole and back fill, firming gently with your feet. Then water well and spread a layer of well-rotted manure round the plant if possible.

Can you grow currants from cuttings?

Take 12" (30cm) cuttings from the one-year old stems and you have all you need for new plants. Simply stick them into the ground in early spring and let nature do the rest. These cuttings are often made when pruning the plant, which is commonly done in early spring.

When can you transplant currant bushes?

Fruit bushes can be moved when they are dormant. This is best carried out November to December or in March. It is best to move the plants to their new site after lifting, rather than storing plants in pots first. Prepare the new planting site well, incorporating some well-rotted garden compost into the planting hole.

Do currants need full sun?

Currants and gooseberries will grow in full sun to partial shade. You will get more fruit if the plant is in full sun. ... Most currants and gooseberries are self-fruitful. One variety will set fruit on its own.

Why is black currant illegal in the US?

The growing and importation of currants were banned in New York and other parts of the United States for more than half a century because they were thought to help spread a fungus that threatened the timber industry.

What soil do redcurrants grow best in?

Redcurrants and whitecurrants do best in moist but well-drained soils, in a sunny spot sheltered from cold winds. They can cope with partial shade.

How much space does a blackcurrant bush need?

Spacing for blackcurrant bushes

An average blackcurrant bush will require a spacing of 5' and it will grow the same in height. Some varieties are slightly more or less vigorous than this and of course it is also dependant on soil, but 5' is a good average.

Do you prune red currant bushes?

Redcurrants bear their fruit on old wood. Prune bushes by removing diseased or very old branches in winter, then prune new growth back to two buds in early summer to keep plants compact. ... Once the cordon is at the desired height, cut to one bud of new growth each year in early summer.

Can you take a cutting from a Gooseberry Bush?

When you are taking cuttings from gooseberry bushes, be sure that they are hardwood cuttings. Hardwood cuttings provide a reliable means of growing gooseberry from cuttings. You need to take the cuttings during the plant's dormant season. This means you can clip them out at any time from mid-autumn until late winter.

When can I take cuttings from currants?

Blackcurrants can be propagated from hardwood cuttings taken from newly planted certified virus-free plants in mid-autumn to winter. The cuttings should be 20cm (8in) long.

How do you take a cutting from a currant bush?

Reduce the cutting down to 25-30cm long, trimming just below a bud at the base, and above a bud at the top. Remove soft growth at the stem tip. With redcurrants, whitecurrants and gooseberries, remove all but the top three or four buds to create a clear stem. Leave all the buds on blackcurrants.