Currant Bushes

Planting blackcurrants is straightforward and very rewarding. Choose a healthy plant and soak the roots in water for an hour before planting if it is bare root. Dig a generous hole and plant the bush slightly deeper than it was growing before, with the base of the stems about 5cm below soil level. This encourages strong new shoots from the base. Firm the soil in well and water thoroughly to settle everything in.

The best time to plant blackcurrants is from late autumn through to early spring while the plants are dormant. Bare root plants perform best when planted between November and March, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground. Container griown plants can be planted at almost any time of year, as long as they are kept well watered during dry spells.

Blackcurrant bushes need space to grow and stay productive. Plant them around 1.5 to 1.8 metres apart. This spacing allows good air circulation, makes harvesting easier, and helps reduce disease problems later on.

Currant bushes grow best in a sunny or lightly shaded spot. Full sun gives the heaviest crops, but blackcurrants will tolerate some shade, especially in hotter gardens. Choose a sheltered position with moist but free draining soil that has been enriched with plenty of organic matter.

Yes, blackcurrant bushes benefit from being cut back, but timing matters. Newly planted blackcurrants should be pruned hard straight after planting, usually in autumn or winter, to encourage strong new growth. Established plants are best pruned in late winter rather than autumn, removing older wood to keep the bush productive.

With good care, blackcurrant bushes can remain productive for 10 to 15 years. Regular pruning and feeding helps extend their lifespan and keeps yields high year after year.

Most blackcurrant bushes grow to around 1.2 to 1.5 metres tall and wide. They form a naturally rounded shape and are easy to keep compact with annual pruning.