Spring pruning of currants

Spring is the time when you need to do a lot of work to secure a rich harvest and pruning currants bushes is a typical example. Fruit bushes or shrubs need to be pruned perfectly before the season. If you are still hesitant, please do not to delay and just go for it. If you are not sure how to properly cut red, black or white currant bushes, then you have come to the right place. In the following lines we shall explain how to do it, while focusing on many other aspects that are related to the pruning job.

Why should you prune currant bushes?

Pruning makes the bush or tree much lighter. When you remove old branches that no longer bear much fruit, the plant becomes more airy and you can reach the fruit much easier. Young branches usually produce better harvest thus giving you the pleasure of reaping more fruit.

Currant: Photo Pixabay

What is the best time to prune currant bushes?

Naturally, the most important thing is to know when to start pruning. The best time is February, however the reality is that in today’s confused climate there are still freezing periods in February. As a matter of fact, February may even be the coldest month. So it’s not a bad idea to wait a little longer. In any case, temperature should not fall below 5° of Celsius. Temperatures that cold could really harm your fruit bushes, and let’s be honest, no one really wants to be outside during that time anyway.

Currants pruning rules

• We shall try to summarize the basic rules for pruning currants.
• Older branches usually have much darker bark
• Blackcurrant branches 2 to 3 years old usually produce more fruit
• Red currants produce better on shoots 2 to 5 years old
• White currants also bear fruit best on shoots 2 to 5 years old
• Old branches tend to have small leaves and produce much less fruit
• Always remove diseased parts of shrubs
• Cut at the bottom of the branch
• Seal the cuts with pruning wax or latex paint

Currant: Photo Pixabay