🫐 Black, Red & White Currant Bushes – Planting Instructions

 

🌱 Planting Time

Plant bare-root currant bushes between November and March while dormant. Container-grown plants can be planted throughout the year, provided they are kept well watered.

 

☀️ Position

Currants thrive in a sunny or partially shaded location with fertile, well-drained soil. Incorporating organic matter before planting will help establish strong, healthy plants.

 

📏 Spacing

  • Blackcurrants: 1.5–1.8m (5–6ft) apart
  • Red & White Currants: 1.2–1.5m (4–5ft) apart
  • Allow approximately 1.8–2m (6–7ft) between rows

 

🕳️ Planting

  1. Soak bare-root plants in water for 1–2 hours before planting.
  2. Dig a hole large enough to comfortably spread the roots.
  3. Mix compost or well-rotted manure into the excavated soil.
  4. Plant:
  • Blackcurrants slightly deeper than they were grown in the nursery (around 5cm/2in deeper).
  • Red & White Currants at the same depth as previously grown.
  1. Firm the soil gently around the roots.
  2. Water thoroughly after planting.

 

💧 Aftercare

Keep plants well watered during dry periods, particularly during their first year and while fruit is developing. Apply a mulch of compost, bark, or well-rotted manure around the base each spring to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

 

✂️ Pruning

  • Blackcurrants fruit best on young wood and benefit from the removal of older stems each winter.
  • Red & White Currants fruit on older wood and should be pruned lightly to maintain an open framework.

 

🍇 Harvesting

Currants are typically ready to harvest from July to August, producing delicious fruit for eating fresh, baking, jams, juices, and preserves.

 

🌿 English’s Fruit Nursery Tip

Currant bushes are easy to grow, highly productive, and ideal for gardens of all sizes. A small number of plants can provide generous harvests for many years with minimal maintenance.