Blackcurrant 'Ben Sarek'

Where to Plant

Choose a sunny position with fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil. ‘Ben Sarek’ has a naturally compact habit, making it particularly useful for smaller gardens, fruit beds and raised beds.

Prepare the ground by removing perennial weeds and incorporating plenty of well-rotted garden compost or manure before planting.

Planting Bare Root Blackcurrants

Plant bare root blackcurrants during the dormant season, from late autumn to early spring, whenever the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.

If the roots appear dry when they arrive, soak them in water before planting. Dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots out naturally without bending or crowding them.

Plant around 5cm deeper than the previous soil mark on the stems. Planting blackcurrants slightly deeper encourages new shoots to develop from below ground level.

Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.

Plant Spacing: 1.5m

Growing in Containers

Its compact growth makes ‘Ben Sarek’ a good choice for growing in a large container. Choose a pot at least 45cm wide and deep with plenty of drainage holes and fill with a good-quality peat-free, soil-based compost.

Position in full sun and keep the compost consistently moist during the growing season. Container-grown blackcurrants need more regular watering and feeding than plants growing in the ground.

Watering & Feeding

Water regularly during the first growing season while the plant establishes. Once established, water thoroughly during prolonged dry spells, particularly while the fruit is developing.

Apply a suitable balanced fertiliser in spring according to the manufacturer's instructions. An annual mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost will help retain moisture, suppress weeds and improve the soil.

Pruning After Planting

Blackcurrants produce their best crops on younger wood, so encouraging strong new shoots from the base is important.

After planting a young bare root blackcurrant, cut the existing stems back to around 5cm above soil level, leaving one or two healthy buds on each stem. This encourages vigorous new growth from the base and helps establish a productive bush.

Pruning Established Bushes

Once established, prune annually to maintain a good supply of productive young stems. Remove around a quarter to a third of the oldest stems at ground level, together with any dead, damaged, diseased or badly crossing growth.

Older stems are generally darker and thicker than younger growth. Removing some each year gradually renews the bush while retaining plenty of younger fruiting wood.

Protecting Your Fruit

Birds can quickly find ripening blackcurrants, so protect your crop with a fruit cage or suitable wildlife-safe netting if needed. Make sure netting is securely fixed and check it regularly.

Pests & Diseases

‘Ben Sarek’ has good resistance to powdery mildew, although it can still be affected by other common blackcurrant pests and diseases. Check plants regularly and remove damaged or diseased growth when necessary.

Top Tip

Don't be afraid to cut a newly planted bare root blackcurrant back hard. It can look drastic, but encouraging fresh shoots from the base helps create a stronger, more productive bush for future harvests.

When to Harvest

‘Ben Sarek’ is usually ready to harvest around mid-July, although exact timing will vary depending on the weather and where you grow it.

Pick when the berries have developed their deep, glossy black colour and are fully ripe.

Easy to Pick

The large berries are carried on short strigs, making ‘Ben Sarek’ relatively quick and easy to harvest. Check plants regularly as the fruit ripens and pick carefully by hand.

Getting a Good Crop

Keep plants well watered during prolonged dry periods, particularly while the berries are swelling. Mulching around the base will help conserve moisture and reduce competition from weeds.

Allow newly planted bushes time to establish. Crops should increase as the plants mature and develop more productive fruiting wood.

Rich Blackcurrant Flavour

‘Ben Sarek’ produces large, juicy berries with a rich, distinctive blackcurrant flavour. Enjoy them fresh if you like a sharper berry, or make the most of their full flavour in cooking and preserving.

In the Kitchen

Use your harvest for homemade jams, jellies, summer puddings, compotes, sauces and desserts. The berries also freeze well, so you can enjoy your harvest long after picking.

Freezing Your Harvest

Remove any leaves and damaged berries, wash the fruit gently and allow it to dry. Freeze in a single layer on a tray before transferring to a freezer container or bag, so you can take out just the amount you need.

Bare Root Blackcurrant Plants

Our ‘Ben Sarek’ blackcurrants are supplied as bare root plants during the dormant season. They're grown in nursery fields before being lifted once dormant and supplied without a pot or compost around their roots.

What to Expect When They Arrive

Bare root plants may arrive with little or no foliage or visible new growth. This is completely normal. You'll receive an established root system with woody stems ready to resume growth when conditions warm in spring.

The size, shape and number of stems will naturally vary between individual plants.

Choose Your Pack Size

1 x Bare Root: Ideal for adding a single compact blackcurrant bush to a smaller garden, fruit bed or large container.

3 x Bare Roots: A good choice for establishing a larger blackcurrant planting or growing several bushes in a dedicated fruit area.

If You Can't Plant Straight Away

Unpack your plants promptly and make sure the roots don't dry out. Keep them somewhere cool and frost-free until you're able to plant.

If planting is delayed for more than a short period, heel the plants temporarily into moist soil. Plant into their final position as soon as conditions allow, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground.