Blackcurrant bushes can be bought from most garden centres, but make sure that you choose a bush that looks healthy and one which has at least 2 or 3 young branches.
Did you know..... Blackcurrants contain more potassium in them than bananas
Step by step guide to growing blackcurrants
Prepare your site
Blackcurrant bushes prefer to be planted in heavy soil and can even tolerate poor drainage conditions. If planting in heavy clay, apply a top dressing of well rotted compost, if planting in light or sandy soils, it is advisable to dig manure into the soil during October or November, and then apply a good mulch in spring..
When to plant blackcurrant plants
Blackcurrants like to be planted in an open site in November or early December if the ground permits, although they can be planted right through to late February.
How to plant blackcurrant bushes
Blackcurrants like to be planted firmly and deeply into the ground so don't be scared to tread down around the roots. Prior to planting, make sure that the blackcurrant bush has had a good drink of water, this can be done by standing the bush in a bucket of fresh water for a couple of hours.
Routine care of blackcurrants
In the May following planting, cover the ground around the blackcurrant bush with a layer of straw, upto 1ft deep, this will not only conserve moisture in the ground, but will keep down the growth of unwanted weeds and obliterate any cultivation that may do harm to the shallow root system of the bush.
If the blackcurrant bush is planted in November, it is best to cut the plant down to within 2 inches of the ground in February. If the bush is planted later in the year, it is best to prune in March. If any healthy shoots have been cut off, these can be used as cuttings to proporgate new plants for future use. Most of the fruit is borne on wood produced during the previous year,and the general rule is to cut out the old wood and retain the new. During the second and third year of growth, their is very little pruning to do, but thereafter it is necessary to remove one third of each bush every winter, immediately after the leaves have fallen. Blackcurrants can be cut back at any point, as new buds regenerate themselves quite happily when encouraged to do so.
When to harvest blackcurrants
Blackcurrants start to turn black a couple of weeks before they are ripe, so be sure to wait until they are fully ripe before harvesting. To retain their excellent vitamin C quality, it is best to pick blackcurrants on their stalks on a dry day.
Proporgating new blackcurrants bushes
It is very easy to cultivate new blackcurrant plants from cuttings by using 9 inch lengths of young, healthy wood. These cuttings can be made by making a cut with a sharp clean knife just below a bud at the base of each cutting. Dig a V-shaped trench, 8 inches deep, with one straight upright side. Lay the cuttings upright against the straight side 4 inches apart, replace the soil in the trench making sure that 1 inch of the cutting is above the soil level. Tread the soil down well. Cuttings made in November or December should be left in position until the following autumn, when plants may be lifted and planted out in their final growing position.
Storing blackcurrants for later use
Blackcurrants do not keep well after picking, and should therefore be eaten as soon as possible. Blackcurrants are suitable for freezing and can also be preserved as jam.
Recommended varieties of blackcurrants
Ribes nigrum 'Ben Connan' This species of blackcurrant has very large berries which have a rich flavour. Ideal for using in pies, jellies and puddings.
Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek': A compact, neat variety of blackcurrant bush that produces the most excellent fruit. It is frost tolerant and is suitable to grow in colder areas.
Ribes nigrum 'Baldwin': An old variety of blackcurrant that has a mild flavour that is susceptible to frost.
Serving suggestion for blackcurrants.....
Blackcurrants can be juiced and used in jellies, syrups, and cordials. They are often used in cooking because their astringent nature brings out the flavour in many sauces, meat dishes and desserts. It was once thought that blackcurrants needed to be "topped and tailed" before cooking. However, this is not the case as these parts are easily broken down during the cooking process. If one prefers, the whole blackcurrant stem with fruit can be frozen, then shaken vigorously. The tops and tails are broken off and fruit can be separated easily.
Blackcurrant Jam |
Growing Blackcurrants 
