Redcurrants
Elegant bushes producing glistening strings of tart, jewel-like berries. Ideal for jellies, sauces, and as a garnish, they are easy to grow and maintain.
Redcurrants (Young bush)
£9.99 in the shop
Calendar
Sow
Rarely grown from seed; buy bare-root or container-grown plants
Plant out
November – March (bare-root), throughout the year (container-grown)
Harvest
July – August
Conditions
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Water
Keep consistently moist, especially during fruit development. Good drainage is essential.
Soil
Fertile, well-drained loam, pH 6.0–7.0
Spacing
1.2-1.5m (4-5ft) between bushes (or closer if trained as cordons)
Containers
Yes, in large pots (min 45cm / 18 inch diameter), requires regular watering and feeding.
Indoors
Not suitable for indoor growing
Care and harvest
Feeding
Annual application of balanced granular fertiliser or well-rotted manure/compost in early spring. Mulch well.
Pruning
In winter, prune main stems by one-third and shorten side shoots to 1-2 buds. Fruit is produced on older wood.
Harvesting
Pick when berries are fully red and plump. Harvest entire strings/trusses for best results.
Storage
Refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze whole or as a purée for longer storage.
Good companions: Mint, Garlic, Tansy