Currants are among the undemanding garden inhabitants. Only a few measures are necessary to properly care for the shrubs. Above all, correct pruning is important if you want to harvest a lot of currants in summer.
What is the proper care for currants?
Caring for currants properly means regular watering in dry conditions, fertilizing with compost or berry fertilizer in spring, pruning after harvest to promote growth and introducing beneficial insects to protect against pests.
How often are currants watered?
Currants are shallow-rooted. When it is dry, the roots cannot absorb enough moisture from the soil. Water on such days. But be sure to avoid waterlogging.
Do you need to fertilize currants?
In spring, the bushes should be supplied with compost or berry fertilizer (€10.00 on Amazon). Further fertilizer is added until May. You can give diluted nettle manure more often. If you care for the currants with a layer of mulch, additional fertilizer is no longer necessary.
Do currants need to be cut?
The older shoots must be cut off every year to make room for new branches. Pruning differs for red and black currants.
Cutting is generally carried out immediately after the harvest, which is completed in July or August, depending on the variety. Care pruning is appropriate in autumn. Dead shoots are removed and branches that are too long are shortened.
How to cut red and white currants?
Red and white currants produce most of the berries on the two- and three-year-old shoots. Once you have harvested the currants, cut out any shoots that are more than three years old.
How do you cut black currants?
Immediately after harvesting in summer, remove all older shoots. Only the young shoots remain standing. The best fruits develop on them.
What pests occur on currant plants?
The most common pests include:
- Yellow gooseberry sawfly
- Blister louse
- Leaf gall midge
- Gall mite
- Glasswings
What diseases affect currants?
Mushrooms cause the most problems for currants. These include:
- Nettle leafiness
- American currant or gooseberry mildew
- pillar grate
- Leaf drop disease
- Red pustule disease
Do currants need winter protection?
Currants are hardy. You should only protect the pot from severe frost if you grow it in a pot.
Tips & Tricks
You can create natural protection against pest infestation on currants if you install insect hotels for ladybirds, lacewings and earwigs near the bushes. The beneficial insects destroy large quantities of aphids and other pests.
