GardenLine | Fruit to Grow and Pick | Growing Currents in Saskatchewan

Currants are high vitamin C and great for making jam, jellies and wines. The are also well suited for growing in Saskatechewan.

Location

Currants are moisture loving plants and live best on a northern slope. They prefer a well-drained soil, with moisture-holding capacity. If possible, choose a site that is sheltered from south and west winds. To help prevent powdery mildew, avoid planting currents in shaded building corners, where humidy can build up, and do not place the plants to close together (see below for spacing).

Pruning and Propagation

Red and white currants produce fruit on short spurs found on wood 2 and 3 years old. Black currants produce fruit on young new wood of the previous season's growth.

Currants are usually propagated by hardwood cuttings. The cuttings are taken in the fall from dormant vigorous shoots of the current season's growth. Store the cuttings in a cool place over the winter, in a box containing moist sand. In the spring, plant cuttings 15 cm (6 in.) apart and deep enough so that 1-2 buds are exposed for black currants or 3-4 buds for red and white currants.

Setting the Plants

Spring planting is recommended. The plants require a full season's growth to mature before winter. Currants are commonly planted in rows 2-3 m (6.6-9.8 ft) apart. Red, white and black currants can be placed 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart within the row.

Before planting, prune off any damaged roots with a sharp knife or pruning shears. One of the best methods of hand planting is for two people to work together. One inserts the spade about 20 cm into the ground and moves it back and forth to make a cavity. As the spade is forced forward, a second person places the plant with its roots fanned out against the wall of the hole. Then the spade is withdrawn and the soil is pressed against the roots.

After planting, cut the bushes back to 15 cm (6 in.).

Growing practices

Keep the currants well watered and remove competing weeds. Weed by hand to avoid disturbing the current's shallow roots system. Currants have a high nutrient requirement. Early each spring apply .12 l (1/2 cup) of 16-20-0 per bush or 5 l (1 gal) of manure.

A straw cover is recommended. It will maintain a cooler soil temperature and reduce weed competition and moisture loss. Watering is usually required in mid-summer during the fruiting period to ensure large, high-quality fruit.

Since most currants are self-fertile, there is no need to interplant varieties for cross pollination.

Harvesting

Currants will remain in good condition on the bushes for a month before ripening. However, once ripened, the fruit is vulnerable to hail and high winds and should be harvested as soon as possible.

Red and white currants crush easily. To avoid crushing them, pick the whole cluster rather than individual berries. Black currants have thicker skins so you can pick then singly without much risk of crushing.

Insect Pests and Diseases

The currant fruit fly deposits eggs in the developing fruit. The eggs hatch into small white maggots which feed inside the fruit. As a result, discolored blotches form on the side of the berries and the fruit drops off before maturity. To control this pest, clear up of the dropped fruit around the plant. Chemical treatment involves applying 2 g 50 percent wettable powder per l (2 tsp per gal) when 80 percent of the fruit has set, and again in 7-10 days.

Powdery mildew and anthroacnose are the two common fungus disease problems with currants. Powdery mildew appears as a white mold covering harvest stems. It can be controlled by applying lime sulphur or benlate. Anthracnose first appears as random brown spots on the upper surface of leaves. As the disease advances, the leaves yellow and drop off. Removing the fallen leaves is a control measure. You can also spray benlate in the early stages of leaf growth.

Cultivars to grow in Saskatchewan

Red Currants - Red Lake and Stephens

White Currants - White Grape

Black Currants - Willoughby and Boskopp Giant

---

Sustainable horticultural information, offered free of charge to the public with the support of the University of Saskatchewan Extension Division, the Department of Plant Sciences and the Provincial Government.