Blackcurrents
Vitamin C and antioxidants are important for good health and blackcurrants have these two properties in large quantities.
Very easy to grow in a small garden the blackcurrant bush is adaptable, hardy and needs little care and attention each year. They grow naturally in Europe and northern Asia in damp woody places and enjoy the cooler climate. They are excellent for South Island conditions.
Choosing varieties can be interesting as there are varieties for early, medium and late crops. One of each may be ideal to extend the seasonal supply. Plant them in winter with a good supply of compost. Each year provide a does of general fertiliser and compost.
In summer they grow well and will produce fruit on new wood or branches that grew last season. Pick the fruit when black and firm. The fruit will freeze well for later use as jam or juice.
Pruning is easy. They produce fruit on the new seasons growth therefore pruning must aim to retain strong new growth and remove older branches with few new shoots. A nice open vase shape is preferred.
Very easy to grow in a small garden the blackcurrant bush is adaptable, hardy and needs little care and attention each year. They grow naturally in Europe and northern Asia in damp woody places and enjoy the cooler climate. They are excellent for South Island conditions.
Choosing varieties can be interesting as there are varieties for early, medium and late crops. One of each may be ideal to extend the seasonal supply. Plant them in winter with a good supply of compost. Each year provide a does of general fertiliser and compost.
In summer they grow well and will produce fruit on new wood or branches that grew last season. Pick the fruit when black and firm. The fruit will freeze well for later use as jam or juice.
Pruning is easy. They produce fruit on the new seasons growth therefore pruning must aim to retain strong new growth and remove older branches with few new shoots. A nice open vase shape is preferred.