When planting currants, a certain distance is maintained between the bushes, and other nuances that determine plant growth and the quality of the crop are taken into account. Proper care and optimal environmental conditions are of considerable importance. The most suitable climate for the culture is a temperate climate. Advice from experienced gardeners will help you grow bushes that are resistant to negative impacts and get a generous harvest.
Necessary conditions for growing currants
Perennial shrubs bear fruit 2-3 years after planting. The lifespan of plants is 25-30 years.The highest productivity of individual branches of black currant is observed within 4-5 years, of branches of red currant - for 6-8 years. The minimum list of requirements is as follows:
- groundwater level - from 1-1.5 m；
- natural light - at least half of the daylight hours；
- fertile soil - light loamy, sandy loam soil with low acidity or neutral；
- soil moisture level - regular watering of the bushes to prevent drying out (mulching eliminates the need for regular monitoring of soil moisture, frequent loosening and weeding)；
- use of fertilizers - organic matter for sandy and heavy soil, lime for acidic soil.
Distance between bushes
To get the expected results, you must understand at what distance to plant currant bushes from each other. The optimal distance between bushes is 1 m. When planting in one row, a distance of 0.8 to 2 m is allowed, when planting in several rows - up to 3 m. 2-2.5 m are allowed for row spacing.
The parameters vary depending on the currant variety chosen for planting, the location of the plot of land, soil characteristics and the formation of bushes. If the crown is spreading, the bushes are separated from each other as much as possible. For straight-growing currants and compact-sized plants, the distance is minimal.
At what distance from the fence should I plant currants?
There is a specific list of planting standards. The minimum distance of the bushes from the fence that separates the neighboring plot is 1 m. If you need to plant red, yellow or black currants closer to the fence, you can agree on this with the owner of the neighboring plot by drawing up a written agreement.
Growing currants without trellises
Currants are planted with the onset of autumn. If the weather is warm, planting dates are extended until mid-October. During early frosts, the bushes are dug in and planting is carried out in the first month of spring. In illuminated areas of land, seedlings with developed roots take root well.
Dig holes separately 35-45 cm deep or prepare a continuous trench. It is recommended to wait until the soil settles and begin planting shrubs a week after the depressions are formed. Compost or rotted manure is placed at the bottom of each hole. For soil with a high level of acidity, an oxidizing agent in the form of chalk or eggshells crushed in a coffee grinder is used.
Ash has to be poured into the ground every year, since the calcium it contains is poorly retained and is washed away by groundwater.
The soil is watered, the seedlings are placed in holes at an angle of 45° so that additional roots and new shoots are better formed (if you plant the plants without tilting, they will be single-stemmed). The straightened roots are buried in the ground 5–7 cm above the root collar and gradually covered. If you follow this pattern, strong bushes will grow.
It is more convenient to plant plants together, when one person holds the seedling and the second buries it. Plants are watered immediately using up to 4 buckets of water. The earth is carefully compacted in the direction of the trunk. Then the bushes are cut by half, or by a third if the root system is strong.
Thanks to pruning, the balance of the root system is restored; good growth is observed in the first year.
Gardening tips
To create a picturesque garden, it is necessary to ensure proper placement, taking into account compatibility. It is advisable to allocate separate areas for different types of plants.If this is not possible, step back a few meters from the fruit trees so that they do not shade the currants. It is recommended to proceed as follows:
- Select areas with a groundwater level of at least 1 m from the ground surface.
- Choose a flat piece of land. A slight slope is allowed. For a good harvest, it is important that water and cold air do not stagnate. Elevated areas are not suitable for currants, since in the summer the bushes suffer from dry winds.
- Remove wheatgrass along with the roots or pre-treat the soil with a herbicide so that the weed does not choke out young currants and reduce the quality of the harvest of adult bushes.
- Plant three bushes in each hole in order to increase the yield by 2-3 times. In this case, an angle of 45° is also maintained.
- Prepare foliar feeding in cloudy weather. During the flowering period, plants are sprayed with a product prepared on the basis of manganese sulfate (1 tsp) and boric acid (0.5 tsp). The components are dissolved in 10 liters of warm water at a temperature of up to 40 °C. When forming ovaries, use a glass of superphosphate and 3 tbsp for the same amount of liquid. l. urea. In cloudy weather, plants absorb nutrients better, the yield and quality of berries increase several times.
Currants do not require special care; it is enough to provide basic conditions. However, in order to increase productivity, it is worth listening to the advice of experienced gardeners and performing additional manipulations. Planting of bushes is carried out taking into account planting standards; if it is necessary to violate them, they agree with the owner of the neighboring plot.
