Redcurrants and whitecurrants are some of the most cultivated soft fruits in our gardens. They require cool climate. Whitecurrants are just a color variant of redcurrants. They both need the same growing condition and fruit in midsummer.
To grow well and produce many fruits they need a sunny position in your garden although they may tolerate some shade and in hot climates shade may be necessary. They need protection from hight temperatures as well as from wind. Before planting them in the garden, in autumn or winter, prepare the soil well remembering that they prefer well-drained soils. Keep a distance of 1.2-1.5 m between bushes, 30 cm between cordons and 1.8 m between fans.
In winter apply sulphate or potash at a rate of 35g/sq m and in spring nitrogenous fertilizer at the same rate. Mulch well in spring all around every bushes with well-rotted manure, compost or leaf mold to conserve soil moisture. Water them regularly in dry weather but not on the period when the fruits are ripening because this may cause the skins to split.
Propagate redcurrants and whitecurrants by taking hardwood cuttings in early autumn, using shoots of 30-40 cm long. Remove all but the top three or four buds to produce plants with short stems. Insert the cuttings in fertile, moist soil, burying them by about half their length and firm well around them. Once they have rooted you can transplant them into their final position.
