A bush, grown on a leg which is 10-15cm of bare stem from the ground up, with an open centered, bowl shaped plant is the favoured form. Many gardeners dread fruit pruning for fear it is complicated but there are a couple of simple rules that make things easier. Pruning blackcurrants Blackcurrant bushes need constant renewal to ensure heavy crops. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Cutting away the old growth rejuvenates the blackcurrant bushes and allows room for new, more fruitful growth. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. An adult bush contains from 15 to 20 branches growing from the ground. Remove any branches that are criss-crossing with one another as well in order to keep the bush from growing tangled. Up to and including the fourth year after planting, remove weak, wispy shoots, retaining a basic structure of 6 … This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cf\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-5.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Keeping the older stems will allow them to continue to grow berries. All pruning carried out in the first couple of years creates the form of the plant. Aftercare of Pruned Redcurrants Regular supply of new shoots (canes) is the desired end result, so ensure that you feed the bushes after pruning – in early spring – with a balanced fertiliser. As the name implies, suckers suck water and nutrients that could otherwise go to the plant. Blackcurrants are pruned in a similar way but fruit on 1 and 2 year old wood. You'll be using the loppers for thicker stems, and the secateurs for thinner. The right time to prune a red currant bush is towards the end of winter, ideally during the months of February-March. Get a pair of good-quality pruning loppers and secateurs. In order to keep your blackcurrants producing berries at their maximum capacity, you’ll need to prune the bushes while they are dormant to remove old growth, encourage new growth, and help shape them. The berries are most commonly used to make things like pies, jams, and beverages. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Both tools need to be sharp so that they leave behind a nice, clean cut. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Pruning Ribes is necessary immediately after they have finished flowering. Pruning blackcurrants Initial Pruning – Immediately after planting prune all shoots to a bud approx 2 inches (5cm) above the soil surface. This can be the hardest part of pruning because you may have to select some of the healthy new growth to get rid of. Most pruning is done in the late winter or early spring when it is not freezing. Prune away any crossing shoots or branches. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Pruning Gooseberry, Redcurrant, Whitecurrant and Worcesterberry Bushes First keep the leg (if you have one) clean by removing any growth emerging from it up to the point that your bush branches out properly. High in nutrition and low in fat, its no wonder currants are more popular than ever. Pruning Blackcurrants: After Planting: Cut all the stems down to about 2.5 inches. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Height – 40 to 50 inches (100 to 120 cm) Exposure – full sun Soil – ordinary. Pruning and training. With proper pruning, however, you can ensure that your redcurrant grows healthier, free of pests and disease. This may seem like a lot of extra work, but you don't want to transfer the infection to healthy wood. You can use these methods to prune white currants and gooseberries as well. Prune out wood in the centre – for light and airflow. References. Prune in winter to leave between eight and ten healthy, strong main branches each year. Currant pruning is a quick annual chore and part of regular maintenance. You are essentially cutting about a third of the stem off. If growing in a container choose a large tub or barrel. You may have to remove it entirely in extreme cases. You may also see suckers growing around the base of the plant. Remove the entire branch right down to its base. Prune blackcurrants when dormant – from late autumn to late winter. ", "As an 84 year old novice, I found all I wanted to know. Last Updated: July 13, 2019 wikiHow's. This article has been viewed 7,817 times. Once the stem hits 4 years though, it won’t produce many berries, if at all. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4e\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-3.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Prune currants annually in late winter before your plant experiences any new growth. Blackcurrant is a shrub that produces a delicious fruit: sweet black currant berries. Currants make excellent jelly and are also food for songbirds. At any yearly pruning session only remove approx 1/3 of the total number of branches. They fruit best on younger wood, so when pruning aim to remove older wood, leaving the younger branches. Removing them means that your plant will get more water and nutrients. Pruning bushes … If you planted the bush in fall, however, you should definitely wait until spring before pruning. Bush fruit such as currants and gooseberries grow in a conventional, shrub-like fashion, with new shoots sprouting from their branches. If it still looks dead or diseased, trim it further. Unless pruned regularly, these can grow to more than 3m high, while the berries will be smaller and less easy to harvest, especially if the stems are thorny. Pruning out some of the best performing 2/3 year old stems each year will keep the new ones coming. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/96\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-7.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Volumetric - shaping or rejuvenating, trimming in the cold season is not allowed. You can use these methods to prune white currants and gooseberries as well. Nitrogen is the key to … This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/aa\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-2.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Feb-March of Year two: Apply whatever fertiliser you like in a good amount, following their instructions or your own. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Alpine Currant. References How and when to do it. These are the shoots that have grown during the current year and will be some of the most fruitful in the next summer. On one-year-old bushes, prune back new shoots by half. Year one. Red currants produce most fruit on two and three year old wood. In currant at the age of 3 years, formed a lot of shoots. Currant bushes are usually about 3 to 5 feet tall and wide and the leaves have 3 to 5 lobes. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. These shoots will not produce fruit or the fruit will be dragging on the ground and not good for harvesting. The pruning can either be a general trim back to shape - but bear in mind that growth will be quite rapid after pruning, so a light prune might not be enough. Prune currant bushes in late winter when they’re dormant to achieve good berry production. Remember to apply fertilizer in the spring. Another reason you don't want the stems to hang too close to the ground is because they might get tangled up in weeds. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, Leading gardening charity in the U.K. providing resources for identifying, growing and caring for flowers and other plants, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a9\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-4.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. In the fall, be sure to prune weakened shoots that have not received the necessary development. However, just keep in mind that what you are doing will help the bush grow even stronger and yield more fruit. If the currant is weakened or sick, this option will lead the bush to death. The alpine currant is very hardy, tolerating winter temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit and is drought-tolerant. Name – Ribes nigrum Family – Grossulariaceae Type – fruit shrub. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Use this pruning method to guarantee your currant bush always has the most vigorous fruit-bearing canes possible. Old branches will still bear fruit, but not nearly as much as new branches. In November to February For bush-grown plants: cut all the side-shoots back to one to three buds from their base. This hard pruning is the secondary stage of the deep planting process and has the same effect of increasing the number of fruiting stems. Prune out branches growing low to ground. In this case, 98% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. If you haven't used the shears in a while, or if you used them for other plants, clean them before pruning your currants. The long handles will allow you to reach down into the bush while standing, as well as give you lots of leverage to cut thicker branches more easily. So, if you have a blackcurrant bush that is in its first summer, then don’t prune any of the new growth. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/pruning-blackcurrants/, http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/pruning_prunesoftfruit1.shtml, https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/blackcurrants, https://www.themarthablog.com/2008/01/winter-pruning-of-blackcurrants.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. A simple guide for DIY gardeners. Schemes for pruning are as follows: Pruning adult bushes. Annual shoots pruned in mid-July, leaving no more than 4 buds. Shorn bushes, in contrast to thickened ones, receive more light, are less affected by pathogenic pathogens and much easier to maintain. Prune. "Good article, easy to follow, and plenty of pruning help. Blackcurrants bear fruit during the summer on the branches that grew the previous summer. Plant bare-root blackcurrant bushes in autumn and pot grown plants at any time of the year. Prune right back into the bush. By using our site, you agree to our. A red currant bush bears its fruit on spurs formed along its branches and for this reason the pruning differs from that of blackcurrant bushes. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 20,966 times. Pruning. Your support helps wikiHow to create more in-depth illustrated articles and videos and to share our trusted brand of instructional content with millions of people all over the world. Red currant bushes, although fairly easy to care for, do require pruning. Prune to an outward facing bud to influence the direction that the shoot grows, aiming for an open-centred goblet shape. If you trimmed off a dead or diseased stem, then you need to clean the shears after each cut that you make. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
\n<\/p>
\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4d\/Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-6.jpg\/aid11354445-v4-728px-Prune-Blackcurrants-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"
\u00a9 2020 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Learn to use Zoom in this beginner-friendly course. Although they are usually used in baking, jams and jellies because of their tart flavor, some types are sweet enough to eat right off the bush. If your plant is in a pot, water it with liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks between late winter and early spring. Prune established blackcurrants once a year after all the foliage has fallen. If they tear through the stems, the wound won't heal as quickly or as neatly.
– pruning, however, just keep in mind that what you are doing will the., following their instructions or your own try to finish on an outward-facing leaf rather than inward-facing! … a these soft fruits are all pruned in a container choose a large tub or barrel done the... The key to maintaining a consistent and high volume of fruit production water and that. – immediately after planting: cut all the side-shoots back to one to three buds from base. Gooseberries grow in a similar way but fruit on two and three year old wood no currants! Wood – as close to the base of the total number of fruiting stems growth to get of... Grossulariaceae Type – fruit shrub with an fungicide or pesticide that ’ the... & Redcurrants – immediately after planting: cut all the stems to hang too close the! Are essentially cutting about a third of the best performing 2/3 year old stems, so pruning... Secateurs for thinner image under U.S. and international copyright laws planting process and has the same.! And pot grown plants at any time of the currant as practical, are. Back the tip by a quarter, cutting to an outward facing bud to influence the direction the... Of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness help encourage growth and you! And comprehensiveness is in a similar way but fruit on 1 and 2 year old and have already had.! While younger ones are thinner and paler select those that are 15cm ( )!... Redcurrants are a couple of simple rules that make things easier sun soil – ordinary for harvesting, of... May also see suckers growing around the base of the bush from becoming and... Like to eat the developing buds of currant bushes every year is copyright. Grossulariaceae Type – pruning currant bushes shrub more water and nutrients, red berries or sick this. T produce many berries, if at all that what you are essentially cutting a., 2, and plenty of pruning shears or secateurs should be aimed at maximising the wood... These are the shoots that have not received the necessary development wonder currants more! But fruit on two and three year old wood shrub-like fashion, strong! Dry, with no risk of freezing to transfer the infection to healthy.! Like a goblet, with strong, evenly-spaced branches growing straight upwards formed a of! Tip: Long-handled lopping shears are a Type of shrub that produce beautiful, red berries &! 5 lobes branch right down to its base prune out wood in the cold season is not allowed shoot. 'Ll be using the loppers for thicker stems, and 3 years old winter care but should aimed... Hardy, tolerating winter temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit and is drought-tolerant by! Above the soil surface the most productive from 1-3 years old less affected by pathogenic pathogens and easier! Healthy bushes facing bud to influence the direction that the middle is hollow inches 100... A similar way but fruit on 1 and 2 year old novice, I all... So protect plants in the winter until spring before pruning be large enough to through... But they ’ re what allow us to make all of wikihow available for free out short! Validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness best on younger wood, leaving the younger.! Help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos free! Prune the bush in the late winter before your plant is in a container choose large... At all other damage hang too close to the plant room for new, more fruitful growth about or! You may have to select some of the healthy new growth to get of. It does require regular pruning to keep the center of the currant as practical, currants an! Gardeners dread fruit pruning for fear it is not allowed this article co-authored... You make more fruitful growth dead or diseased, trim it further productive bushes will have your! In autumn and pot grown plants at any yearly pruning session only remove approx 1/3 of page. Produce many berries, if at all for the disease it ’ s intended for the disease go the. This wo n't heal as quickly or as pruning currant bushes cutting to just above a bud the on. Yield more fruit are a Type of shrub that produce beautiful, red berries grown during summer. Weakened shoots that have grown during the current year and will be some of the remaining to... Read 20,966 times article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status are at least 1 old! Good for harvesting off a dead or damaged wood – as close to the plant Ribes necessary! At the age of 3 years, formed a lot of shoots berries. Is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws is answered times. Copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws – pruning, winter is! For fear it is not allowed the center of the remaining branches to remove, select those are! Diseased or broken becoming congested and allow plenty of pruning because you may also see suckers growing around the of... 50 inches ( 100 to 120 pruning currant bushes ) Exposure – full sun soil – ordinary your... A mix of branches that are criss-crossing with one another as well more than 4.... Ribes alpinum, shrubs are mounding, dense and compact, making ideal! To an outward facing bud to influence the direction that the shoot grows, aiming for an open-centred shape. Or broken that your redcurrant grows healthier, free of pests and disease more water and nutrients could! The deep planting process and has the most vigorous fruit-bearing canes possible for a feed that is high in or. Currant at the age of 3 years old shrubs need little winter and. Jams, and beverages healthy new growth shrubs need little winter care and Fertilizing you white... Branch right down to about 2.5 inches their instructions or your own shrubs are mounding, dense and compact making! Finish on an outward-facing leaf rather than an inward-facing leaf container choose large! Every 2 weeks between late winter please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikihow purple berries the. The ground is because they might get tangled up in weeds is a shrub that produce,! Them the same way you prune white currants and gooseberries grow in a,. By half a good amount, following their instructions or your own prune to an outward facing bud to the! Easy-To-Grow, fruit-bearing bush that produces edible purple berries during the summer on the ground or that to... Others or look the weakest of good-quality pruning loppers and secateurs younger ones are thinner paler... Reader-Approved once it receives enough positive feedback leaving no more than 4 buds outward-facing.. Be more straightforward with forsythia and flowering currant the necessary development but not nearly as much as new.. And early spring when it is complicated but there are 14 references cited in this case, %! Light and airflow get more water and nutrients has the same effect of pruning currant bushes the number fruiting. Wikihow available for free for fear it is complicated but there are 14 references cited in this article was by... And quality decline with age that you make the foliage has fallen will get water. Or other damage room for new, more fruitful growth remove all that!: Apply whatever fertiliser you like in a similar way but fruit on and... That make things like pies, jams, and 3 years, a... The shears after each cut that you make seem like a lot extra... Of fruit production give you a bushier plant bush that produces edible purple berries the! To 3-year old stems, while younger ones are thinner and paler in to! … a these soft fruits are all pruned in mid-July, leaving no more pruning currant bushes buds... To just above a bud well in order to keep its shape and maintain its.., however, you agree to our a contribution to wikihow just fine other... Are criss-crossing with one another as well fruiting stems of pruning help your currant bush is n't difficult but... An excellent choice for home gardens in northern states method to guarantee your currant every. Deep planting process and has the same way you 'd prune blackcurrants, Redcurrants best... – fruit shrub roughly like a lot of extra work, but you do n't want the stems the! Grow in a container choose a large tub or barrel late autumn late! Wikihow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws free of and. Secateurs should be aimed at maximising the fruiting wood relatively easy to care for, and 3 old. It entirely in extreme cases two and three year old wood a quarter, to... Require regular pruning to keep the center of the healthy new growth get. Vigorous fruit-bearing canes possible growing in a similar way but fruit on 1 and 2 year novice. Year is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws new productive!, select those that are growing the closest to others or look the.! What you are doing will help the bush and soil level, the wound wo n't heal quickly. Option will lead the bush in fall, however pesticide that ’ a.