Which is better, black currant or pink currant?
How to tell the difference between gooseberry and currant?
How many quarts of fruit does a currant cane bear?
What does the plus sign mean on a red currant?
What is a jostaberry?
What color are gooseberries when they are ripe?
Why is mulching important?
See 4 more
About this website
How to Grow Currants in Your Home Garden - 2022 - MasterClass
Currants are sweet yet acidic berries that are perfect for fruit salad, dessert garnishes, and jam. Fresh currants aren't the easiest fruit to find in many regions, so growing your own currants is often a worthwhile option.
How to Grow and Use Currant Bushes - Tenth Acre Farm
This page may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure for more info.. Currant bushes (Ribes) are thornless understory shrubs, growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8.They can grow 3-6 feet wide and tall, and can range in color from red, white, pink, or black.
Currants and Gooseberries | Center for Agriculture, Food, and the ...
History and Restrictions. In the early 1900s, the federal and state governments outlawed the growing of currants and gooseberries to prevent the spread of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola).This fungal disease attacks both Ribes and white pines, which must live in close proximity for the blister rust fungus to complete its life cycle.
What causes red currants to wilt?
Red currants are most commonly affected by powdery mildew, currant aphids, and leaf spot, which cause leaf damage and defoliation. Cane blight is a severe fungus that leads to the wilting and death of canes. The best way to prevent powdery mildew is to plant resistant varieties. Proper pruning and spacing between plants also reduces the risk of powdery mildew.
Why do currants turn red?
The longer the berries remain on the plant, the sweeter and more flavorful the berries (don’t wait too long though, as wildlife love the berries too). Because the skin of the berries is very tender and rips easily, to prevent a juicy mess, don’t harvest individual berries. Instead, cut off the whole berry clusters at once with bypass pruners or scissors.
How many canes does a red currant have?
Red currants produce most berries on two- and three-year-old canes and pruning follows that pattern. The goal is to have about eight fruit-producing canes of different ages on the plant.
What states are red currants banned in?
Red currants fall under the ban of members of the Ribes genus, which is still in effect in Arkansas, Arizona, California. Delaware , Hawaii, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Rhode Island, New Mexico, Washington, and West Virginia . The law from 1911 prohibits nurseries to grow and sell the plants due to the white pine blister rust, a fungus that needs two hosts to spread, and members of the Ribes genus are particularly susceptible. Although most red currants are immune to the disease, they were included in the ban. If you live in a state with the ban, you cannot have the plants shipped to you from a nursery in another state. 1
What happens if you remove canes in error?
If you remove canes in error, don’t worry, the plant will bounce back with plenty of new shoots the next year.
Why are pine trees banned?
Because of the white pine blister rust, they are still banned in certain states (see Warning above for details).
Why are my plants susceptible to mildew?
The combination of a warm, humid climate with poor air circulation makes them especially susceptible to powdery mildew.
What is an alpine currant?
Alpine currants are most infamous for their low-maintenance needs, their ability to adapt to a variety of growing conditions, and their ability to tolerate extreme winter temperatures. They are commonly used in hedges, mass plantings, and for xeriscaping. If you are looking for a foliage shrub that you can plant and forget - look no further ...
How much sunlight does an alpine currant need?
However, the shrub will perform best when planted in a location that receives bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours a day.
How tall does Ribes alpinum grow?
Pruning. Back to Top. Commonly grown for their lush foliage, Ribes alpinum, also called "alpine currants," are mound-forming deciduous shrubs that can grow up to 6’ tall. Their striking green foliage changes shades throughout the year, starting as bright green in the spring, dark green in the summer, and a warm yellow in the fall months.
How cold can currants get?
Temperature and Humidity. Gardeners in cold regions rejoice! Alpine currants are notorious for being extremely winter hardy, tolerating temperatures as low as -50 °F. They require little winter care but should be checked a couple of times throughout the winter for rabbit damage.
What type of soil do currants like?
Moist, well-drained alkaline soils are ideal for alpine currants, although they are able to adapt to a variety of different soil types. If necessary, they can survive in dry, compacted soil as well.
Can Alpine currants grow in containers?
They can tolerate cold temperatures, drought, and are extremely adaptable to various different light and soil conditions. Alpine currants are not suited for growing in containers and are happiest when planted in the ground.
Is a currant edible?
Alpine currants are commonly confused with their sister plant the redcurrant ( Ribes rubrum ), and while the berries of alpine currants are edible , many find the taste to be unpleasant.
What are Currants?
Currants are small berries that pack a lot of nutrition. According to the USDA Nutrition Handbook, they have more vitamin C, phosphorous and potassium than any other fruit. In addition, they are second only to elderberries in iron and protein content, and they are lower in fat than any fruit except nectarines.
What are the different types of currants?
Currants come in red, pink, white and black. Reds and pinks are used primarily in jams and jellies because they are quite tart. Whites are the sweetest and can be eaten out of hand. Dried currants are becoming increasingly popular as a snack. Some currant shrubs are attractive enough to plant in a shrub or flower border.
Why do currants need water?
Water currant shrubs regularly to keep the soil moist from the time they begin growing in spring until after harvest. Plants that don’t get enough water during spring and summer may develop mildew. Too much nitrogen also encourages diseases.
How long do currant bushes live?
Care of Currant Bushes. Currant bushes live 12 to 15 years, so it’s worth taking the time to prepare the soil properly. They need well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. If your soil is clay or sandy, work in lots of organic matter before planting, or prepare a raised bed.
Can currants grow in gardens?
Currant Shrubs: Learn How To Grow Currants In Gardens. Ornamental as well as practical, currants are an excellent choice for home gardens in northern states. High in nutrition and low in fat, it’s no wonder currants are more popular than ever. Although they are usually used in baking, jams and jellies because of their tart flavor, ...
Do currants grow in shade?
If your soil is clay or sandy, work in lots of organic matter before planting, or prepare a raised bed. Currants grow well in sun or parti al shade, and appreciate afternoon shade in warm climates. Currant shrubs prefer the cool conditions in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 5.
Can you plant a currant bush and get fruit?
Always ask for disease-resistant varieties. Currant bushes can pollinate their own flowers, so you only have to plant one variety to get fruit, although you’ll get bigger fruit if you plant two different varieties.
How do I grow a sage bush?
Here are a few ways to grow the bushes: 1 As a foundational hedge bordering the front porch. The spring flowers are gorgeous in the spring, and the berries dangle like bunches of grapes in early summer. 2 In a shady, unused spot. Try planting them under oak, walnut, or apple trees, according to Gaia’s Garden. 3 In a wildlife hedge. Birds love the berries. They are said to be deer-resistant, but I’m not so sure about that. 4 In a poultry foraging area. Chickens like them, too. 5 At the edges of open woods or in dappled shade in the woods (as in a food forest ). 6 In a pollination garden. The tiny flowers provide nectar for both hummingbirds and a menagerie of other insects. 7 In your medicinal garden. Black currant leaves are known for curing quite a large array of symptoms and illnesses, from arthritis to colds and coughs. All currants are high in vitamin C and can be dried and eaten as a supplement during the winter months. 8 In a jelly garden. While I think they’re a bit tart for fresh eating, they transform into a sweet and mellow taste when made into jelly.
Why do I make jelly instead of preserves?
So now I make a jelly rather than preserves because it’s seedless. Currant berries have a lovely mellow taste when cooked. My mixed berry jelly, which often includes red and black currants and black raspberries, is divine.
What is a currant bush?
Currant bushes ( Ribes) are thornless understory shrubs, growing in USDA hardiness zones 3-8. They can grow 3-6 feet wide and tall, and can range in color from red, white, pink, or black. There is even a clove currant ( Ribes odoratum ), which is very fragrant.
How many pounds of berries does a red currant bush produce?
Yield of Currant Bushes. Annually, each of my red currant bushes produce about 2 pounds of berries, while my black currant bushes each produce about 4 pounds of berries. My bushes are shade-grown, so grow in full sun to produce more berries.
Why are the leaves on my red currant bushes bigger?
The leaves are bigger and the branches provide more interest in the winter because the red buds are bigger. Alternatively, red currant bushes are smaller (3-5 feet tall and wide) and a little more scraggly-looking. But that’s kind of a neat look, too, with the gnarled branches.
What are some good recipes for a sourdough bread?
1. Currant Smoothies. The frozen berries are delicious in my morning smoothies with coconut milk and a splash of vanilla. I mix equal parts of red and black currants and strawberries together. While the strawberries cut the tartness, I get to take full advantage of the currants’ high vitamin C content. 2.
How old do currants have to be to grow?
Cut back any stems that are touching the ground or that appear to be diseased or broken. Red currants produce most heavily on 2- to 3-year old stems, while black currants bear more heavily on 1-year-old stems.
What are gooseberries used for?
Certain varieties of gooseberry bushes produce dark black berries. Gooseberries grow in clumps of two or three berries and are often used to make jams and jellies. Gooseberries are not picky about sun exposure and can produce fruit with just a few hours of sunlight each day.
How much sunlight does a blackberry bush need?
Blackberry bushes can produce an entire crop of berries with just two or three hours of sunlight per day.
Do huckleberries need shade?
Huckleberries, which are distantly related to blueberries, don't need perfect conditions to produce fruit. Huckleberry bushes tend to produce more and tastier fruit when planted in the shade. The bushes often grow in the understory of taller trees and shrubs, which makes the huckleberry one of the few berry bushes that grows better in shady ...
Do berries need sun?
Berry Bushes That Do Not Require a Lot of Sunlight. Blueberries, strawberries and raspberries need full sun to produce fruit, but they are not your only options for growing berries. If you have a shady yard, you can still produce several varieties of tasty berries without a lot of sunlight.
Who is Sara Ipatenco?
Sara Ipatenco has taught writing, health and nutrition. She started writing in 2007 and has been published in Teaching Tolerance magazine. Ipatenco holds a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in education, both from the University of Denver.
Which is better, black currant or pink currant?
Some consider pink and white currants to be better for fresh eating. Black currants. Black currant. The European black currant is Ribes nigrum. They are widely grown in Northern Europe for their high vitamin C content. Black currants have a strong and unusual flavor.
How to tell the difference between gooseberry and currant?
Although closely related, you can easily distinguish currants and gooseberries by examining the canes and fruit. Gooseberry canes normally produce a spine at each leaf node and bear roughly grape-sized berries singly or in groups of two or three. Currant canes lack the spines and bear 8 to 30 pea-sized berries in clusters.
How many quarts of fruit does a currant cane bear?
Currant canes lack the spines and bear 8 to 30 pea-sized berries in clusters. A mature currant or gooseberry shrub can produce up to four quarts of fruit annually. Most commercially available varieties have adequate winter hardiness for the majority of the Upper Midwest, many to USDA hardiness zone 3a.
What does the plus sign mean on a red currant?
Plus sign (+) if content is closed, 'X' if content is open. Red, pink and white currants are the same species, Ribes sativum. Red, pink and white currants are self-fertile, meaning one plant will set fruit without any other currant varieties nearby. Pink and white currants are albino selections of red currant.
What is a jostaberry?
The jostaberry (pronounced yust-a-berry) is a cross of black currant and gooseberry.
What color are gooseberries when they are ripe?
Gooseberries have translucent skin. Depending on the variety, it might be light green, pink, or even red when ripe.
Why is mulching important?
Mulching cools the soil, conserves water and suppresses weeds. These benefits are preferable in a partially shaded site, and essential in a sunny spot.
Uses
Appearance
- Currants come in red, pink, white and black. Reds and pinks are used primarily in jams and jellies because they are quite tart. Whites are the sweetest and can be eaten out of hand. Dried currants are becoming increasingly popular as a snack. Some currant shrubs are attractive enough to plant in a shrub or flower border.
Preparation
- Currant bushes live 12 to 15 years, so its worth taking the time to prepare the soil properly. They need well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter and a pH between 5.5 and 7.0. If your soil is clay or sandy, work in lots of organic matter before planting, or prepare a raised bed.
Cultivation
- Currants grow well in sun or partial shade, and appreciate afternoon shade in warm climates. Currant shrubs prefer the cool conditions in USDA plant hardiness zones 3 through 5. Plants may drop their leaves when temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit (29 C.) for an extended period of time.
Environment
- Water currant shrubs regularly to keep the soil moist from the time they begin growing in spring until after harvest. Plants that dont get enough water during spring and summer may develop mildew.
Prevention
- Too much nitrogen also encourages diseases. Give them only a couple of tablespoons of 10-10-10 fertilizer once a year in early spring. Keep the fertilizer 12 inches from the trunk of the shrub.
Benefits
- Pruning currant shrubs annually is helpful for the plant as well in both maintaining its form and inducing a bigger, healthier harvest each year.