Growing your own soft fruit, like currants and gooseberries, is a great way to save money on your grocery bill while enjoying fresh, homegrown produce. These fruits can be expensive due to the labor-intensive harvesting process and transportation costs. However, growing them yourself eliminates these expenses. Plus, once you establish your fruit plants, they can produce for years with minimal care—just some mulch and an annual prune. The challenge, however, is that buying new fruit plants can be costly. Fortunately, propagating plants through hardwood cuttings is an easy, cost-effective way to expand your fruit garden without spending a dime.
What Are Hardwood Cuttings?
Hardwood cuttings are taken from mature, woody growth, unlike softwood cuttings which come from younger, more flexible branches. The best time to take hardwood cuttings is from mid-autumn to late winter when plants are dormant. During this period, there are no leaves, which reduces moisture loss, and the cuttings can slowly acclimate when spring arrives.
Hardwood cuttings are particularly ideal for currants (black, red, and white) and gooseberries. These cuttings require minimal care and can be left to develop on their own. Though they may take longer to root compared to other types of cuttings, they are a hands-off, long-term solution for increasing your fruit supply.
How to Take Hardwood Cuttings
To ensure success, choose healthy, mature plants. Avoid taking cuttings from older plants that are nearing the end of their productive life. If you have gardening friends with surplus fruit bushes, consider swapping cuttings with them. This can be a great way to expand your garden without buying new plants.
Look for strong, healthy stems from the current growing season, around the thickness of a pencil. Avoid stems with pests or diseases. Using clean pruning shears, cut 20-30cm (8-12in) lengths just below a bud to form the base of the cutting. You can take multiple cuttings from a single stem if it’s vigorous. It’s wise to take extra cuttings as a backup in case some fail.
Once you’ve cut the stems, remove any soft growth at the tips. Then, make a diagonal cut at the top of each cutting, just above a bud. This helps with water drainage and makes it easy to identify the correct orientation when planting.
Planting the Cuttings
You can plant hardwood cuttings in the ground or in pots. If planting in the ground, use a spade to create a narrow trench, ensuring the soil drains well to prevent the cuttings from rotting. Adding sand to the trench can help with drainage. Space cuttings about 15cm (6in) apart, and make sure that about two-thirds of each cutting is buried in the soil.
For container planting, use a mix of equal parts sand and peat-free potting mix. This combination ensures proper drainage, which is crucial for the cuttings’ survival through the winter. Plant two to four cuttings per pot, and be sure to label them to avoid confusion later on.
Caring for Your Cuttings
Keep the area weed-free and ensure the soil remains moist but not waterlogged. If your cuttings are potted, you can protect them by placing them in a cold frame during colder months. If any cuttings are lifted by frost, press them back into place.
In most cases, your cuttings should begin rooting within a year. You can tell this has happened when buds start to break above the soil. This can occur as early as spring or as late as fall. Once they’ve rooted, you can dig them up, gently separate them if needed, and either pot them on or plant them in their permanent location.
Conclusion
Taking hardwood cuttings is an easy, rewarding way to grow more soft fruit in your garden. With minimal effort and patience, you can expand your fruit collection without spending a lot of money. By propagating from your existing plants, you can enjoy a steady supply of fresh, homegrown fruit for years to come. Give it a try, and soon you’ll be reaping the fruits of your labor!