When black and red currants ripen, how to determine ripeness

The timing of berry ripening depends on the specific variety, region of growth, weather conditions and other nuances. When faced with the question of when blackcurrant berries ripen, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the variety and other characteristics.

When blackcurrants are ripe, depending on the variety

There are many varieties of currants, which according to their ripening time can be divided into 3 categories:

• early ripening;
• medium ripe berries;
• late varieties.

When choosing the appropriate category, the main role is played by the climate in the growing area. In hot areas it is possible to grow any variety, and in regions with a cool climate it is advisable to plant early ripening varieties.

Early

Varieties of currants with an early ripening period are planted in May and begin to bear fruit a month later, in the second half of June - early July. Currants that ripen at an early stage are ideal for growing in cool climates. Popular early varieties include:

1. Incas gold. The fruits have a translucent structure, a sweet and sour taste and are located on clusters of 7-9 pieces. Up to 2.5 kg of crop ripens on one bush.
2. Tear of Isis. Small light yellow berries ripen on low growing bushes. The yield is about 2 kg.
3. The Snow Queen. Sweet greenish berries grow in abundance. During growth, one bush produces more than 2.7 kg of currants.

Medium ripening varieties

Mid-ripening currants begin to ripen by mid-summer. The fruiting period stretches for 20-30 days, so the entire harvest can only be harvested in August. The most common mid-season varieties are:

1. Mystery. A high-yielding variety with increased resistance to frost.
2. I have a sweet tooth. The variety is suitable for cultivation in almost all regions, excluding the northern ones.
3. Delicacy.Small berries weighing up to 1.5 g have a sweet taste and contain a high amount of ascorbic acid.

Later cultures

Late-ripening berries are harvested in August and September, until the onset of the first frost. As a rule, gardeners plant late crops in regions with a predominantly warm climate in order to have time to harvest the entire harvest during the warm season. Late ripening varieties include:

1. Vologda. On spreading bushes, enlarged fruits weighing more than 2 g grow. Regardless of the presence of pollinators, the variety demonstrates a high yield.
2. Rondom. A variety bred by Dutch breeders, which allows you to harvest up to 4-5 kg ​​from each bush.
3. Tamerlane. Disease and cold resistant variety. With comprehensive care, the yield reaches 4 kg.

How to determine ripeness by external parameters

The easiest way to recognize ripeness is by visual parameters. The outer color of the skins changes as they ripen. It is important to consider that determining ripeness of red and black currants must take into account varietal characteristics.

If it is not possible to understand from external signs whether the crop is fully ripe, you can pick a few fruits from the branches and taste them. A sour-sweet taste indicates a sufficient degree of ripening.

Red-fruited varieties

You can determine when red currant fruits ripen by the rich, bright red hue of the skin. In addition, ripe fruits become dense and increase in size.

Chokeberry

After the flowering period, black currants ripen within about 45 days. The berries begin to ripen gradually, so the harvest lasts for several days.A clear sign of ripening is the black color of the berries, but such specimens should be picked after a couple of days, as the flesh may still remain green. At the same time, harvesting should not be delayed for a long time, since ripe berries begin to crumble over time.

How do ripening times vary by region?

In different regions, the duration of crop ripening varies depending on climatic and weather conditions, soil type, level of natural light and other external factors. When growing currants, you should first find out when the fruits are harvested in a particular area.

Blackcurrant harvest time in the Moscow region and Moscow region

Large-scale ripening of red and black currant berries in the Moscow region and Moscow region occurs in late July - early August. The harvest ripens alternately, so you will need to pick the berries several times. Depending on the temperature conditions, the ripening period of berries may deviate from the norm.

Under hot summer conditions, currants ripen much earlier than at low ambient temperatures.

Ripening period in the Urals

In the Urals, it is preferable to grow varieties of currants in which fruiting begins after mid-summer. Even if the harvest is delayed, varieties suitable for the Urals will be able to withstand the first frosts and a sharp drop in temperature.

When are currants harvested in central Russia?

Early varieties are recommended for cultivation in central Russia. You can start picking berries at the end of June - beginning of July. Subject to the correct care conditions and a favorable environment, the entire harvest can be harvested long before the onset of cold weather.

In what month are fruits harvested in the Leningrad region?

The climate observed in the main territory of the Leningrad region is suitable for spring planting. When choosing varieties of currants, it is recommended to plant several varieties that differ in their ripening period. By growing different varieties, it will be possible to harvest during July and August, which will allow you to have fresh berries for a long period of time.

When currants ripen in Siberia

In Siberia, varieties with early or medium ripening periods that are resistant to low temperatures are grown. The main harvest period is at the end of June.

How to pick berries correctly and quickly?

It is recommended to collect currants in dry weather. It is better to harvest early in the morning or late in the evening. Ripe berries are carefully picked from the branches by hand and placed in plastic bags or other containers. If you plan to immediately process the crop, you can use a deep pan as a container. For fresh storage or subsequent freezing, the berries are placed in a small layer in a shallow container.

In cases where the berries will be transported over long distances, it is necessary to pick them at the stage of technical maturity, when they are just beginning to gain color.

Ripening and full coloring of the fruit will occur during transportation. It is important that transportation does not take more than a week. When growing fruits for consumption exclusively fresh, they should be collected after reaching consumer maturity, when they acquire the rich color characteristic of a particular variety.