Consort Currant

Planting & Care for Edible Plants – Currant

Preparation

• Pick a site with partial shade to full sun.
• Because plants bloom very early in spring, they are susceptible to late season freezes. Choose a site that warms up slowly in the spring, to make sure it won’t cause any growing problems.
• Add in some compost to your soil before planting.
• Space the plants 3-6 feet apart in rows that are 6-8 feet apart.
• Be sure to test your soil before planting. If you’re not sure how to do this contact your local UW extension office for help on testing your soil. Gooseberry plants prefer a soil pH of 6.0-6.8. Steer clear of soils that are extremely heavy or poorly drained.

Opening Plant Material

• Bare Root - Cut open the bundle (top and roots are tied) and separate all the plants. Soak roots in buckets of water until planted. Each plant type will be labeled separately for identification. Do not expose the roots to sun. They should never dry out. Keep roots covered. All bare-root plants must be trimmed when planted. 

Planting Bare Root

• Dig a hole at least 6" wider and the same depth as the root mass. The crown or graft of the plant should be slightly higher than ground level where it was grown at the nursery.
• Trim off the broken roots and branches.
• Place fertilizer packets in hole (if purchased). Do not place other fertilizers in the planting hole. *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer
• Spread the roots and fill halfway with soil, then water until soil settles completely saturating the soil and planting pit.
• Re-adjust plant and fill the hole with the rest of the soil.
• Back-fill the balance of the soil and water well.

Pruning – After Planting

• Prune ALL bare root plants to reduce transplant shock and ensure success. Pruning should occur either before or as soon after planting as possible. All pruning should be done with a sharp pruning shears.

Pruning - Through-out the Season

• Each spring, make sure to prune away weak and any branches that are overcrowding. Only leave several shoots from each year’s growth.
• Prune off all 3-year-old branches to make room for more fruitful, younger branches.
• Gooseberries produce best on 1-year wood. Branches that produced the preceding year should be removed.

Watering - After Planting

• Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
• Beyond the 6 week establishment period, water once per week, unless rains occur.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

Watering - Through-out the Season

• After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
• How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it is dry, give it a good soaking with the hose end (no nozzle) watering the soil only, not the leaves.
• Stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.

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