Tiny, tart, and packed with three times more vitamin C than oranges, blackcurrants make a wonderful addition to any home garden or even a balcony. These hardy shrubs are low-maintenance, yield abundant harvests, and thrive in most temperate climates. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a complete beginner, this step-by-step guide will help you grow juicy blackcurrants effortlessly.
1. Choose the Right Blackcurrant Variety
The first step to success is selecting a variety that fits your space and climate. Modern cultivars are bred for better disease resistance, larger fruit, and easier harvesting. Below are our top recommendations for home growers:
- Ben Sarek: A compact dwarf variety (growing just 1m tall), perfect for containers or small gardens. It bears plenty of fruit and is mildew-resistant.
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Ben Connan: Early-ripening with large clusters of juicy berries. Pair it with later varieties for an extended harvest season.
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Ebony: Known for its sweet flavor and dark, shiny fruit. Resistant to big bud mite, a common blackcurrant pest.
2. Planting: When and Where to Grow
Blackcurrants are easy to plant, and the best time to do so is during their dormant period (November to March). This allows their roots to establish before the growing season begins.
Location Requirements
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Sunlight: Choose a spot with full sun (6+ hours daily) for the sweetest fruit. They can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer climates.
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Soil: Prefer moist, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. For heavy clay soil, add compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage.
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Shelter: Protect from strong winds (which can damage flowers and fruit) by planting near a fence or hedge.
Planting Steps (In-Ground)
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Dig a hole twice the diameter of the root ball and 5cm deeper than the plant’s original soil level (look for the soil mark on the stem).
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Add a handful of compost or well-rotted manure to the hole’s bottom and mix with soil.
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Place the plant in the hole, spread out the roots, and backfill with soil. Firm the soil gently to remove air pockets.
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Water thoroughly. Space plants 1.5–1.8m apart (wider for vigorous varieties).
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Mulch around the base with compost or leaf mould to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Container Planting (For Small Spaces)
No garden space? No problem! Blackcurrants grow beautifully in pots. Follow these tips:
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Choose a pot at least 45cm deep and 40cm in diameter with drainage holes.
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Use high-quality potting mix blended with vermiculite (for water retention) and chicken manure (for nutrients).
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Plant one compact variety (like Ben Sarek) per pot, at the same depth as it was in the nursery pot.
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Place the pot in a sunny spot and water regularly—containers dry out faster than garden soil.
3. Daily Care: Watering, Feeding, and Pest Control
Blackcurrants are low-maintenance, but a little care significantly boosts harvests.
Watering
Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells and fruit development (May–June). Water at the base to avoid wetting leaves (which can cause mildew) <superscript>8. For container-grown plants, water when the top 2cm of soil feels dry.
Feeding
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In spring (March–April), feed with high-potash fertilizer to promote flowering and fruiting.
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Every 2 years, add a layer of well-rotted manure or compost around the base in autumn to enrich the soil.
Pest & Disease Control
Blackcurrants are generally hardy, but here’s how to handle common pests and diseases:
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Birds: Birds love blackcurrants! Protect ripening fruit with netting or fleece.
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Mildew: Remove and destroy infected leaves. Ensure good air circulation through pruning (see below).
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Big Bud Mite: Choose resistant varieties (like Ebony). Prune and burn affected buds in winter.
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Natural Pest Control: For aphids, use an organic solution of 100g garlic fermented in 500ml water for 7 days.
4. Pruning: Keep Your Bush Productive
Pruning is simple yet essential—blackcurrants produce the best fruit on 2- and 3-year-old wood. The optimal pruning time is late winter (January–February), when the bush is dormant.
Pruning Steps
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Remove all dead, diseased, or weak branches at the base.
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Cut back 2–3 of the oldest (dark brown, woody) branches to ground level to make room for new growth.
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Trim any low-lying shoots that touch the soil.
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Shape the bush into a bowl to let sunlight and air reach the center.
For newly planted bushes: Prune all shoots back to 3–4 buds after planting to encourage strong base growth.
5. Harvesting & Storing Your Blackcurrants
Harvest season is July–August, depending on the variety. Berries are ready when deep black, glossy, and slightly soft. Modern varieties (like Ben Hope) ripen evenly, so you can pick entire clusters. Older varieties may require individual picking.
Harvest Tips
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Pick in the morning when berries are cool—they’ll stay fresh longer.
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Use scissors to cut clusters (avoid pulling, which damages branches).
Storing & Using
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Fresh blackcurrants keep for 3–5 days in the fridge.
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Freeze berries on a tray (spread out) before transferring to bags—they’ll keep for up to a year.
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Use them to make jams, jellies, syrups, or homemade Ribena (a classic British drink). They also pair well with yogurt, oatmeal, or baked goods.
Fun Facts About Blackcurrants
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During World War II, blackcurrants were given free to British children as a vitamin C supplement (citrus fruits were scarce).
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95% of the UK’s blackcurrants are used to make Ribena.
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Blackcurrants are native to northern Europe and northern Asia.
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With proper care, a single bush can produce fruit for 12–15 years.
Final Tips for Success
Growing blackcurrants is a rewarding hobby—even small bushes yield plenty of fruit. Remember these key tips: Choose the right variety for your space, plant at the correct depth, prune annually in winter, and protect fruit from birds. With these simple steps, you’ll be enjoying homegrown blackcurrants in no time!