Blog: No effort or skill needed for a fruitful crop!
When you’re a new gardener, growing soft fruit bushes may seem a little daunting, especially when anyone mentions the dreaded ‘p’ word (pruning, that is). However, my growing blackcurrants for beginners experiment has worked!
In 2011, I decided to start a long-term trial in my front garden. It’s unused, as it’s tiny – a few metres square. It’s on the main road, unlike the side and back, which is totally private and surrounded by a hedge.
Also, the previous owner covered it in a six-inch layer of large angular gravel, a nightmare to plant through.
The hose won’t reach
There are various ornamental plants in there, but it has to fend for itself when it comes to water, as the hose won’t reach. I wanted to make it more productive, so I bought three Ebony blackcurrant bushes (more about growing blackcurrants).
Just to make it clear, you have to get the plants established, well watered and fed in the first 2 years or they will die or not bear fruit! However, once established, they’ve proved very resistant to weather extremes – the deep ‘mulch’ of gravel helps retain moisture.
Growing blackcurrants for beginners – Just cut out the bad bits!
I don’t prune them, apart from cutting off any dead, diseased or crossing (where two rub together and disease can get into wounds in the bark) branches. After the first year (2012), I had a modest crop, which has become bigger every year, this year filling a big roasting tin!
They freeze very well if you can’t use them straight away – I use them in conserves, cakes and, ahem, vodka. Discover the recipes. This is the good side of the experiment – whatever you do, don’t try to grow raspberries in your front garden. I’m still trying to get rid of them; they are completely invasive!
