It is possible to plant currants all year round, as long as there is no frost. Depending on the season, the effort involved in caring for the newly planted shrubs differs.
In a nutshell
- Autumn is the ideal time to plant
- cut back before planting
- when planting in spring, choose plants with a good root ball
- for summer planting only currants in pots
- bare root shrubs for fall planting
Prepare shrubs
No matter what time you plant currants, before the bushes come into the ground, you need to be prepared. The care measures make it easier for the berry bushes to grow and the first yield comes more quickly.
The following work must be carried out before planting:
- remove weak shoots
- Shorten remaining shoots by 1/3
- cut off damaged roots
- Water the root ball for half an hour
Notice: In the case of bare-root currants, there is no need to water the roots.
spring planting
If you are doing spring planting, plant the currant bushes before they sprout. In spring, plant shrubs that already have a strong root ball. As a result, the currants can absorb water better and survive a spring that is drier or very warm.
Planting currants:
- Dig a planting hole twice the size of the root ball
- In the case of compacted soil, incorporate drainage from coarse rock
- plant shrubs
- Fill the planting hole with humus-rich and nutrient-rich substrate
- Pour currants
- Initially, support shrubs with a stake
As soon as the bushes have grown, you can remove the plant stake. With smaller currant bushes, you can usually do without an initial support, as they usually grow straight without any problems.
summer planting
Summer is not the best time to plant currants. At this point you should only plant container ware. Shrubs in a pot usually have a good root system, which means that there is less risk of them drying out.
Nevertheless, when planting currants in summer, you must ensure that you water them sufficiently. However, it may take some time for the currants to grow. During this period, you need to water daily and penetratingly.
Notice: When watering, make sure that no waterlogging forms. It is therefore better to water several times throughout the day in smaller quantities.
autumn planting
Autumn is the best time to plant currants. Not only currants in pots are suitable for autumn planting, but also bare-root bushes.
Benefits of fall planting:
- lower temperatures
- higher air and soil humidity
- Plant requires fewer resources
In autumn, the currants shed their leaves. They therefore do not require any force to maintain or form leaves and shoots, as with spring or summer planting. In autumn, the plants usually take root better, as they generally focus their resources in the root area or in the buds.
Currants that you plant in autumn often bear the first fruit the following year. If you are already late with the planting in autumn, you should refrain from pruning. The risk is then usually too great that the frost will damage the tissue and the shoots will die far down. You can still cut back in early spring when it is frost-free.
frequently asked Questions
How are bare-root currants cared for before planting?Plant bare-root shrubs as soon as possible. It takes a few days to plant the currants, so cover the bushes with some soil. Alternatively, you can also wrap a damp cloth around the roots.
How long do currants take to grow?How long currants need to grow depends on various factors. If the shrubs already have a good root system, it will take about two weeks. With bare-root shrubs, it can take quite a while until they are well anchored in the ground.
Do currants always have to be cut before planting?The maximum number of leaves and shoots should be large enough for the existing roots to be able to supply them with sufficient nutrients. Pruning is essential for bare-rooted shrubs. With container goods, a strong pruning can be omitted, but you should not do without a care cut that promotes the formation of new shoots.