FRUIT
KEY CONCEPTS I. Small Fruits Grapes Brambles Strawberries Currants and gooseberries Selection Planting Culture Blueberries II. Fruit trees   Return to Introduction		CURRANTS AND GOOSEBERRIES Currants and gooseberries are very hardy, easy to grow and quite productive. However, currants and gooseberries are not as popular with the home gardener as many other small fruits. These two small fruits are closely related but are very different in growth habit, appearance and flavor. Both fruits are tart and flavorful. Because they are tart, they are used in juices, wine, pastries and preserves. Red varieties of gooseberries are sweet when ripe and can be enjoyed fresh. Both plants may be used as deciduous shrubs in the landscape. Gooseberries are thorny. Gooseberries and currants require less pruning than most other fruits, but still should be pruned every 2 or 3 years.   SELECTION Although red, white and black types of currants are available, red currants are the most popular in Ohio. Recommended red currant cultivars are 'Wilder', 'Red Lake' and 'Redstart'. Only one cultivar of black currants, 'Consort', is recommended for Ohio because other black current cultivars are an ALTERNATE HOST for blister rust, a serious fungal disease that attacks white pines and other 5-needled pines. No currants or gooseberries should be planted within 900 feet of white pine trees or within 1500 feet of any nursery where white pine seedlings are grown. There are both American and European cultivars of gooseberries. American cultivars are favored in Ohio. Recommended cultivars and fruit color are 'Poorman' (pinkish red), 'Downing' (green) and 'Pixwell' (dark red). A vigorous, mature currant bush produces 4 to 6 quarts or 9 pounds of fruit, and a gooseberry bush produces about 12 pounds of fruit. Plants begin bearing when they are 3 years old. Currants and gooseberries have a productive life of 10 to 20 years. Purchase plants from reputable nurseries. Choose vigorous, well-rooted, 1- or 2-year-old plants. Both species are self-fruitful and do not require pollinators to produce fruit.   PLANTING Both currants and gooseberries grow well in Ohio. Summer heat and drought reduce production. Gooseberry fruit can scald in hot weather or if exposed directly to sun. Choose a northern or northeastern slope, or a site that is cool, but sunny. Currants and gooseberries will grow in shade, but then they are more susceptible to mildew. Good air circulation is important for disease prevention. Gooseberries are more susceptible to mildew than currants. If a sloping site is selected, place currants below gooseberries. Sites that are frost pockets make unsuitable sites because both plants blossom early. Currants and gooseberries thrive in a cool, moist, well-drained soil that is high in organic matter. Silt and clay loams are ideal. The pH range for both plants is 5.8 to 7.0. Soil amendments and fertilizer applications should be based on the results of a soil test. New plants should be set into the garden in mid- to late September or early spring, when the plants are dormant. Place plants 4 to 5 feet apart. If planted in rows, allow 8 feet between rows. Before planting prune off damaged roots and cut the top back to 6 to 10 inches. Set plants so that the lowest branches are just below the soil line. This causes formation of new shoots and a bush form.   CULTURE Weeds can be controlled by cultivation. As plants mature, avoid deep cultivation that can damage roots. Place mulch at least 6 inches from the trunk and continue outward for 3 feet. If unseasoned straw or sawdust is used as mulch, apply extra nitrogen to avoid nitrogen deficiency as the mulch decomposes. Aged manure is recommended as a fertilizer for currants and gooseberries. Young plants will not require large applications. Once plants begin bearing, side-dress annually with aged manure to maintain productivity. Commercial fertilizers can be used. Apply 1 cup of nitrate of soda or 10-10-10 fertilizer per plant before bud break in spring. Prune when plants are dormant, in late winter or very early spring. Prune weak, broken or horizontal stems for the bush's first 3 years. After that, remove canes that are 3 years or older. However, remove no more than 1/3 of the oldest stems each year. Carefully pruned bushes will produce a better crop. Ripe gooseberries and currants, unlike most other fruits, can remain on the bush for 4 to 6 weeks. Pest problems of currants and gooseberries includes sawflies, aphids, scales, currant worms, current bud mites and currant fruit flies. Diseases that infect currants and gooseberries are powdery mildew, anthracnose and botrytis. Use pesticides labeled for these crops and problems. Refer to Fact Sheet 1410 for additional information on gooseberries and currants.
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