grow easily from seed but they need special treatment or you'll be looking at bare soil and no seedlings indefinitely. Sunny position. Position.

American and European are the 2 types of gooseberries.) Position.

Ribes silvestre) are available in both red and white (or light rose) colors. Miscellaneous Soil.

Currants come in red, pink, white and black. Dried currants are becoming increasingly popular as a snack. Special Considerations. Because they are self-pollinating, it is only necessary to grow one currant bush to produce fruit. There is even a clove currant (Ribes odoratum), which is very fragrant.All currants have attractive flowers and maple-like leaves that make them desirable in the edible landscape. Yet, despite being native and well suited to growing in Wisconsin, they are still not a very well known small fruit. Red, pink and white currants are self-fertile, meaning one plant will set fruit without any other currant varieties nearby. Black currants have different pruning needs from red currants and gooseberries. Yes but cover if a severe frost is forecast. (The 3 types of currants are red, white, and black. They are very hardy and easy to grow. The fruit of pink and white currants is generally less acidic. May need potash (potassium) adding, particularly if the leaves start to brown at the edges.

Redcurrants. Reds and pinks are used primarily in jams and jellies because they are quite tart. Some currant shrubs are attractive enough to plant in a shrub or flower border. See pruning guides for specific techniques. Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum syn. These cool-climate plants do well in northern regions and will tolerate part shade, although the fruits will ripen more quickly and taste sweeter if given some sun. pH of 6 to 6.5 preferred. Frost tolerant. How to grow currants Plant a currant bush and you'll soon be picking lots of plump berries. Currants are small white, red or black berries that grow on small shrubs. Rich soil with compost dug in. How to Grow Currants Red currants grow best in locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade, or dappled shade part of the day. Black currants produce better with 2 or more varieties. If properly settled in, caring for currant bushes is quite easy. Rich soil with compost dug in to retain moisture. This step is an important one, so refer to our guidance for planting. Like their cousins, gooseberries (the genus Ribes), currants are native to Wisconsin woodlands, fence rows, and fields.

Pruning and caring for currant bushes. Miscellaneous . Currant bushes (Ribes) are thornless understory shrubs, growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.They can grow 3-6 feet wide and tall, and can range in color from red, white, pink, or black. Some consider pink and white currants to be better for fresh eating. Feeding. Red Currant. Spacing is the same at 5ft between plants for bushes but red and white currants can also be grown as single, double or triple cordon plants with spacings of 1.5, 3 and 4 foot respectively. Growing redcurrants – tying in the lead cane With soft twine, carefully tie in the selected lead stem to a sturdy cane support using a figure-of-eight knot. How to trim red currant bushes Currants make excellent pies, jams, jellies, preserves or wines. Pink and white currants are albino selections of red currant. Adding manure, organic soil conditioner or compost is a great initiative upon planting. Red currant bushes prefer rather well drained soil.

Whites are the sweetest and can be eaten out of hand. As the plant grows during its first year, tie the main stem in at regular intervals. Currants (Ribes spp.) The growing conditions for red and white currants are the same as blackcurrants above with a 2ft square area of soil to be prepared with well rotted manure. Although redcurrants are closely related to blackcurrants, they are in fact grown more like gooseberries. Plants are hardy, easy to grow, and their fruit make excellent jams, jellies, preserves, and pies. Redcurrant Growing Guide Crop Rotation Group. Photo by Madelon Wise.

Soil.

Red Currant Growing Guide Crop Rotation Group.

Currants and gooseberries (Ribes species) are berry- producing shrubs which have been grown in the United States since colonial times. pH of 6 to 6.5 preferred. How to Grow Redcurrants.