Currants are generally undemanding to soil and climatic conditions, but they do best on loamy and loamy sandy soils well supplied with humus and nutrients with a neutral or slightly acidic soil reaction. You can also plant currants in a place that does not have direct sunlight all day. Before planting, perennial weeds should be removed and compost, granulated cow or horse manure, along with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be spread. Do this preparation in the fall before planting.
Planting and after care
Bare-root shrubs are better planted in autumn, containerized ones can be planted in autumn and spring. Plant the shrubs at a distance of 1.0 to 1.5 m in a row. Trunk-like forms are planted at a distance of 0.8 to 1.0 m. After planting, currants are first dug up immediately after applying the first dose of mineral fertilizer, the second time immediately after flowering and the third time after harvesting the fruits. Currants do not like a thriving weed community in their vicinity. Sshallow digging or regular surface mulching will provide the currants with the necessary space for growth.
Pruning and training
Regular annual pruning is important for currants. Unpruned shrubs will quickly age and their fertility is unsatisfactory. Bushy forms of currants should have no more than 9-12 shoots. The oldest should be four-year-old wood and all older branches should be removed regularly. We recommend removing four-year-old shoots immediately after harvest and leaving the same number of the youngest shoots in their place. In the first year after planting, cut all shoots to 3-4 buds. During the vegetation period, new annual shoots will grow from them, of which only the strongest 3-4 shoots should be left. In each subsequent year, leave three shoots again and in four years your currant bushes will have approximately the same proportion of 1 to 4 annual branches. Do not shorten one-year-old shoots on currants. Currants bear the most fruit on two-year-old wood
Nutrition and fertilization
Currants are generally demanding on both organic and mineral fertilizers. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied annually in autumn, the share of the annual dose should be 70% in autumn fertilization, the remaining part is applied together with nitrogen fertilizer at the beginning of vegetation in the following year before the blooming. Organic fertilizers such as compost, granulated cow or horse manure are best applied in autumn. It is important to dig it to a depth of about 10 cm, no more, because currants have a shallow root system. Mulching is a good way to keep the area under currant bushes free of weeds and at the same time prevent excessive drying in the root area.
Currants are good for health
Red and white currants contain calcium, phosphorus, iron, provitamin A, vitamin B1 and especially 30-80 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fruit. The higher pectin content contributes to good gelling of jellies and preserves, while organic acids have bactericidal effects. Red and white currants are refreshing, promote the secretion of digestive juices and have an effect on reducing fever.
Blackcurrants contain a large amount of vitamin C (up to ten times more than lemons) - about 300 - 400 mg per 100 g of fruit. Furthermore, these fruits contain B vitamins, carotene, rutin, pectin, fruit sugars, mainly citric acid and tannins. Blackcurrant fruits significantly affect metabolism. The juice is suitable for angina, has a diuretic effect, increases the elasticity of blood vessels, treats rheumatism and is generally beneficial for pregnant women, children and the elderly.
