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Varieties: Blackcurrant Ben Connan ; Blackcurrant Sarek

Ribes Nigrum. Suggested planting distance  1.2/1.5m (4/5ft) apart  1.8m (6ft) between rows . Blackcurrants love a rich fertile and moist soil and respond to a good mulching. Light shade is not a problem for this crop.  If  your area is prone to frost choose a late flowering variety. Bushes can be grown in large pots  but must not be allowed to dry out especially when the fruit is developing. Blackcurrants are usually grown as a stool i.e. a bush with lots of shoots coming from below ground level.  When planting  place new bushes about 5cm (2”) deeper than the old soil line ,  this will stimulate new branches  to be produced.  Prune in winter removing up to 1/3rd of the older stems to ground level and mulch well . A spring seaweed spray(s) will benefit the plants.Keep young plants weed free older plants will probably do this themselves.

Pest & Disease - mildew can be a problem - usually where the bushes have little air flow  - improve the openness of the bush by pruning out old wood and do not plant too closely. Big Bud (very swollen buds) is  caused by a small pest which often carries a reversion virus with it. There are systemic insecticides which can be used  on the Big Bud but not on the virus , badly infected bushes should be burnt.

Harvesting -  use as soon after picking as possible . Fruits can be stewed, jammed, jellied turned into syrups and juices - try Blackcurrant Vodka use a sloe gin recipe!