Blackcurrants are a fantastic addition to any garden, providing a rich harvest of nutrient-packed berries that are perfect for making jams, jellies, and sauces, or enjoying fresh. Growing blackcurrant plants is straightforward, and with the right care, they can produce abundant crops for many years. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to grow and care for blackcurrant plants successfully.
Why Grow Blackcurrants?
Blackcurrants are an excellent choice for home gardeners, offering many benefits:
- Nutritious and tasty: Blackcurrants are packed with vitamins, particularly vitamin C, and have a tart, tangy flavour perfect for a variety of culinary uses.
- Easy to grow: They are relatively low-maintenance and can thrive in cooler climates.
- Productive: Blackcurrant bushes produce large quantities of berries year after year, making them highly productive fruit plants.
- Versatile: The berries can be used in jams, cordials, desserts, or eaten fresh off the bush.
Best Blackcurrant Varieties to Grow
Here are some popular and reliable blackcurrant varieties for your garden:
1. ‘Ben Sarek’
A compact variety, ideal for smaller gardens or growing in pots. It produces large, juicy fruit and has good disease resistance.
2. ‘Ben Lomond’
A popular variety, known for its large berries and high yields. It flowers later than some varieties, reducing the risk of frost damage.
3. ‘Ben Connan’
This variety produces very large fruit and is a heavy cropper. It’s compact and frost-resistant, making it great for colder climates.
4. ‘Big Ben’
As the name suggests, ‘Big Ben’ produces large, sweet blackcurrants. It’s an early-ripening variety that is perfect for fresh eating due to its sweeter flavour.
5. ‘Ben Hope’
A late-season variety with high yields and good resistance to pests and diseases. It’s ideal for those who want to extend their blackcurrant harvest into late summer.
Where to Plant Blackcurrant Bushes
Choosing the right location is key to successful blackcurrant cultivation. Here’s what to consider:
1. Sunlight
Blackcurrants prefer a sunny position but can tolerate partial shade. For the best fruit production, plant them in a spot that gets at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.
2. Soil
Blackcurrants thrive in well-drained, moisture-retentive soil that is rich in organic matter. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0-6.5). Before planting, work plenty of well-rotted compost or manure into the soil to boost fertility.
3. Spacing
Blackcurrant bushes need space to grow, so allow at least 1.5-2 metres between plants. This ensures good air circulation, reducing the risk of diseases and promoting healthy growth.
How to Plant Blackcurrant Bushes
1. When to Plant
The best time to plant blackcurrant bushes is during the dormant season, from late autumn to early spring. Bare-root plants should be planted in early spring, while container-grown plants can be planted from late spring to early summer.
2. Preparing the Site
Prepare the planting site by removing weeds and working organic matter into the soil. Blackcurrants are deep-rooted plants, so dig a hole wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots comfortably.
3. Planting Blackcurrants
- Dig a hole slightly deeper than the root ball of the plant, about 5cm deeper than the plant was previously grown (this encourages more shoots to form).
- Position the bush in the hole and spread out the roots.
- Backfill with soil, firming it down gently around the plant.
- Water the plant thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Blackcurrant Plants
Blackcurrant bushes are relatively easy to care for, but they do require some basic attention to ensure healthy growth and productive harvests.
1. Watering
Blackcurrant plants need consistent moisture, especially during dry periods and while the fruit is developing. Water regularly, particularly in dry spells, to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
2. Mulching
Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic mulch, such as compost, straw, or well-rotted manure, works well.
3. Feeding
In early spring, apply a general-purpose fertiliser around the base of the plant to promote growth and fruiting. You can also top-dress with compost or well-rotted manure for extra nutrients.
4. Support
Although most blackcurrant varieties are self-supporting, some taller varieties may benefit from staking or a simple support system to prevent heavy branches from breaking under the weight of the fruit.
Pruning Blackcurrant Bushes
Pruning is essential for maintaining healthy blackcurrant plants and ensuring good yields. Blackcurrants fruit on stems that are 1-3 years old, so it’s important to manage the growth of new shoots and remove older wood.
1. Pruning New Plants
In the first year after planting, prune the stems back to about 5cm above ground level. This encourages the plant to produce strong, healthy shoots from the base.
2. Pruning Established Plants
After the first year, prune annually in late winter or early spring. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged wood, and cut back about one-third of the oldest stems to ground level. This encourages the plant to produce new, productive shoots.
3. Training the Bush
For the best yields, aim to keep an open-centre shape to your blackcurrant bush. This allows light and air to reach all parts of the plant, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
Harvesting Blackcurrants
Blackcurrants are typically ready to harvest from mid to late summer, depending on the variety. Here’s how to know when your blackcurrants are ripe:
- The berries will turn a deep, glossy black and should come away from the bush easily.
- For the best flavour, allow the berries to fully ripen on the plant before harvesting.
- Blackcurrants are often harvested in clusters, so cut the fruiting stems off rather than picking individual berries. This helps preserve the delicate fruit and avoids damaging the plant.
Common Pests and Diseases
While blackcurrant plants are generally hardy, there are a few pests and diseases to watch out for:
1. Blackcurrant Gall Mite
This pest can cause distorted growth and reduce yields. It’s important to prune out any affected shoots as soon as you notice damage and destroy them to prevent the mite from spreading.
2. Big Bud (Reversion Disease)
This viral disease causes the buds to swell unnaturally and fail to produce fruit. Remove and destroy any affected parts of the plant to prevent the disease from spreading.
3. Aphids
These small insects can weaken plants by sucking sap from new growth. Regularly check the underside of leaves and use insecticidal soap or encourage natural predators like ladybirds to control infestations.
Final Thoughts
Growing blackcurrants is a rewarding experience that provides an abundance of nutritious fruit with minimal maintenance. With the right care, your blackcurrant bushes will produce delicious berries for many years to come. Whether you’re growing them in a garden or containers, blackcurrants are a fantastic addition to any space.
At Marshalls Garden, we offer a wide range of blackcurrant plants to suit all gardens. Visit our website today to explore our collection and start growing your own tasty blackcurrants!