Growing currants—whether black, red, or white—can be a rewarding and relatively low-maintenance endeavor. These hardy fruit bushes thrive in the garden from late fall to early spring, a period when other plants are dormant. If you’re looking to expand your garden with an easy-to-grow fruit, currants are a great choice. Here’s a detailed guide on how to plant and prune currant bushes to ensure they flourish.
Planting Currant Bushes
The best time to plant currant bushes is during their dormancy in late fall or early spring when they are sold bare-root. In colder regions, wait until spring to plant, as currants may not be available as bare-root plants during the winter. Currants tend to burst into growth early in the season, so it’s essential to plant them as soon as the soil is workable.
While currants tolerate partial shade, they perform best in full sun. A sunny location will promote higher yields and sweeter fruit, especially for blackcurrants. These bushes prefer slightly acidic, rich soil that retains moisture but doesn’t stay soggy.
To plant, begin by soaking the bare-root plants in water for a few hours. Dig a hole that’s about twice as wide as the root system. Mix the excavated soil with a generous amount of compost or well-rotted manure and a handful of organic fertilizer (like fish, blood, and bone meal). Plant the currant bush so that its root collar is just slightly below the soil line. Fill in the hole with the soil mixture and firm it down. Water the plant well to settle the soil around the roots, then cut back any shoots to just above a bud. Finally, mulch the area around the base with organic material like compost, wood chips, or sawdust to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Taking Cuttings from Currants
Currants are easily propagated by taking hardwood cuttings. This is a great way to multiply your plants, especially if you’re already pruning your currants. To take a cutting, prune a healthy, recent shoot about 15–30 cm (6–12 inches) long. Trim the tip of the cutting diagonally above a bud to encourage water drainage and ensure the cutting is placed the right way up when planted. At the base of the cutting, make a horizontal cut just below a bud. While hormone rooting powder can help, it’s often unnecessary for currants. Plant the cutting in a suitable spot, and with patience, it will establish roots over time.
It takes about two to three years for cuttings to produce fruit, whereas purchased one-year-old plants may bear fruit in one to two years.
Pruning Blackcurrants
Blackcurrants are typically grown as “stools,” where most of the growth emerges from the base. To maintain a productive bush, prune annually to remove older, non-productive wood and make room for new growth. Start by removing any dead, diseased, or damaged wood, as well as any stems that cross over or point inward. Keep about eight to twelve strong, healthy one-year-old stems for maximum yield. Pruning can begin as soon as the harvest is over, which makes winter pruning easier and more efficient.
Pruning Red and White Currants
Red and white currants are usually trained on a short “leg,” with shoots growing from a central stem. The goal is to maintain an open, airy structure that allows for healthy growth and easy fruit picking. In winter, prune away any shoots growing from the first 10 cm (4 inches) above the soil. For one-year-old bushes, prune new growth back by half. Always prune to an outward-facing bud to promote a spreading habit. If a branch droops, prune to an upward-facing bud to keep the bush’s shape.
As the plant matures, pruning becomes simpler. Each year, remove all the previous year’s growth down to a single bud. Cut back any unproductive branches and replace them with new shoots to maintain a healthy, structured bush. Remove any low-hanging branches to prevent fruit rot and pest damage.
Conclusion
With a bit of care and attention, currant bushes can thrive in your garden, providing you with delicious fruit for years to come. By planting in the right conditions, taking cuttings for propagation, and following a regular pruning schedule, you’ll encourage healthy growth and bountiful harvests. Whether you’re growing black, red, or white currants, these simple steps will help you achieve success in the garden.