Interestingly, the pretty ones seem to have few insect pests.

Apr 10, Mulching provides 3 key functions: it suppresses weeds, helps retain moisture, and provides a dose of nutrients to the plants. I am hopeful that this will help give us an abundant currant and gooseberry crop this treenotch.barted Reading Time: 1 min.

Jan 25, Instructions Wash the currants and keep the stems – stems provide added pectin for a firm jelly set. After washing, place currants in a non-reactive saucepan and cover with water.

Bring currants and water to a gentle boil. Once the water has reached boiling, cover Estimated Reading Time: 6 mins. Sep 08, Pruning should be quite drastic First clear the center of the shrub, because having light penetrate to the center is crucial.

Remove branches that are tangled together. Balance the rest of the shrub to give it a nice shape that looks like a bowl. Finally, remove older wood. This means those stems Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins. Mulching Around the Bushes As mentioned when you planted your bushes, mulching is a necessary part of growing black currants. Each year, you’ll need to refresh the layer of mulch underneath the plant.

Mulch keeps the soil cool, which is especially important if you’re growing these bushes in areas that are warmer than preferred. A ” deep layer of mulch (straw, leaves, or wood chips) applied after planting will continue to improve the soil. Allow sufficient space for both the top of the tree and it’s roots when selecting the planting.