Getting Started
When planting currants, it’s easier to start with a bare root plant. Both grow well if properly cared for. To plant seeds they must be prepared for several months in a process known as stratification, and plants will take about three years to bear fruit. Rooted bush starts are more commonly found and are simpler to plant.
Select a site to plant that gets partial to full sun, and if you’re planting more than one bush make sure they’re about three to four feet apart.
When planting a rooted vine, you need to:
- Dig a hole. It needs to be at least twice the diameter of the root ball you’re planting.
- The plant should be planted deeper, at least 2 ½ inches, than it was originally.
- Mix rotted manure with the soil before you fill the planting hole again.
- When filling the planting hole, use your feet to firm the soil up as you go.
- Water well when finished. Soaking the ground will help the roots take hold.
After Planting
Once you’ve finished planting your vine, prune the plant to its lowest bud, about 2 inches above the earth. This process, in addition to the deep planting, will encourage plenty of new shoots and buds on your plant. After this, you’ll want to prune your currant plant annually to optimize its health and productivity.
More Information
Most varieties of currants will fruit on their own and a single cultivar will bear fruit on its own. For best results, the more sunshine your plant gets, the better.
Black, pink, white, and red currants are the most popular varieties of this fruit due to their disease resistance, the quality of their fruit, and their ready availability.
