Caring for currant shrubs after harvest. Do not postpone

Once you have harvested the last delicious berries from your currant shrubs you need to think about the follow up care…. Do not postpone because early care will guarantee a great harvest for the next year. Here is how.

Focus on pruning and get rid of all damaged branches and those which did not bear much fruit. The next thing you need to pay attention to is mulch and a fertilizer.

Pruning is simple

You can let your currant bushes grow naturally. No pruning required as they will branch naturally. Currant pruning is easy.You will be only “refreshing” your shrubs every year. Proper pruning should preserve only strong branches that produce plenty of fruit.

The main idea is to remove the oldest branches (over 5 years old), which do not produce much fruit or where the production is decreasing. That also includes sick and dry branches and those that grow toward the centre of the shrub, making it too dense.

Photo: Pixabay

Proper fertilization

Currant shrubs are usually fertilized in the spring – from April until the end of the fruiting period. You also need to help your currant shrubs to survive the winter and in good condition – to preserve fertility. To do so, you need to add an organic fertilizer, and the best time is in autumn.

Loosen the soil around bushes, but do not dig deep, especially with black currants, as you could easily damage the roots. Use a suitable mulch. Remove the mulch in autumn as various pets may find a refuge underneath the mulch during the winter (if you have young shrubs, replace mulch with a layer of spruce boughs). If your shrubs look like they were attacked by some pests during the season, pour a weak solution of potassium permanganate around it. If you follow these tips, the next year harvest should be a rich and tasty.

Preview photo: Pixabay

Source: https://www.rosai-e-piante-meilland.it/ribes-nero-consigli-messa-a-dimora-potatura-e-manutenzione/, https://it.wow-plants.com/6821051-raspberries-gooseberries-and-currants-after-harvest