Overgrown Currants - help !!!

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by HsuH, Jul 14, 2013.

  1. HsuH

    HsuH Super Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2013
    Messages:
    645
    Location:
    South Gloucestershire
    Ratings:
    +3,257
    In the past 3 years, due to having plenty of other fruits in the garden for our eating and jam making needs, we let blackbirds help themselves with our red and white currants, and we failed to pay enough attention to the plants, as a result they are becoming very overgrown.
    IMG_0806a.jpg

    The one on the right is the red currant which this year didn't produce as much as it usually does. The one on the left is white which was heavy with fruits as previous years. The photo shows how much fruit it had on one branch:
    IMG_0805a.jpg

    Now that the fruits have been harvested I intend to give the plants a good pruning but don't know where to start. Both plants are about 12 years old. Could anyone give me some suggestions:help: ?
     
  2. Suziequeue

    Suziequeue Gardener

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2011
    Messages:
    38
    Gender:
    Female
    Ratings:
    +18
    WOW!!! Fabulous. We are just on year one with black currants and one or two red currant bushes that I bought as a "mercy buy" last year from our local tool shop..... so I need to brush up on my currant pruning skills this winter.

    There is lots of good currant pruning advice on the web from the BBC and the RHS

    and videos on pruning red currants and black currants

    They are slightly different.

    HTH
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Selleri

      Selleri Koala

      Joined:
      Mar 1, 2009
      Messages:
      2,718
      Location:
      North Tyneside
      Ratings:
      +8,635
      In general, currants do perfectly well left alone for ages. :)

      In my native Finland, where currants are grown in every garden, the guidance is: if the shrub looks very crowded, cut some older branches at ground level a week after harvesting the crops.

      Makes sense, because the crops is often heavy so the shrub needs some days to recover the shape. After that you can simply cut off the oldest, or awkward stems at the base to let more light through.

      Currants are very long living shrubs and generally do well with minimum maintenance. Lazy gardener's dream :cool: BTW, the leaves of blackcurrant are worth picking. They are brilliant flavouring for pickled cucumbers and also make a lovely drink.
       
      • Informative Informative x 2
      • Agree Agree x 1
      • Suziequeue

        Suziequeue Gardener

        Joined:
        Mar 9, 2011
        Messages:
        38
        Gender:
        Female
        Ratings:
        +18
        When are they best picked Selleri?
         
      • Selleri

        Selleri Koala

        Joined:
        Mar 1, 2009
        Messages:
        2,718
        Location:
        North Tyneside
        Ratings:
        +8,635
        When you need them, i.e. when pickling the cucumbers or gherkins.

        The leaves can be also used for drinks, here is a bit more complicated recipe Google found: http://www.thebarefootcrofter.com/2012/06/nettle-and-blackcurrant-leaf-cordial.html

        The lazy gardener just crushes some handfuls of leaves, pours over a cup of hot water and when cooled down, fills the jug with cold water and ice cubes. Sugar and vodka are optional.

        The freezer- crazy Finns have been known to freeze blackcurrant leaves for winter, for what purpose, I haven't really found out yet. :scratch: They (the leaves that is) can also be dried to make herbal tea.
         
      Loading...

      Share This Page

      1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
        By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
        Dismiss Notice