When to plant Red Currant?

Red currants thrive in full sun or partial shade, though a sunnier position will give you sweeter, more abundant fruit. They tolerate a wide range of soils but perform best in moisture-retentive loam or clay that doesn't dry out in summer. Avoid very light, sandy soils unless you're prepared to water and mulch regularly. Plant bare-root red currants between October and November or in March, when the soil is workable and not frozen or waterlogged. Container-grown plants can go in at any time during the dormant season, but autumn planting gives roots time to establish before spring growth begins. Space bushes 120 cm apart to allow good air circulation and room for picking. Dig a hole roughly twice the width of the root ball and deep enough so the old soil mark on the stem sits level with the surrounding ground. Red currants are usually grown as open-centred bushes on a short leg (a clear stem of about 10–15 cm), so don't plant any deeper than the nursery level or you'll encourage suckers from below the graft or leg. Fork over the base of the hole and mix in a bucketful of well-rotted compost or manure to improve moisture retention. Backfill with the excavated soil, firming gently with your heel to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting, even in autumn, to settle the roots. Apply a 5–8 cm layer of organic mulch such as garden compost or well-rotted manure around the base, keeping it a few centimetres clear of the stem to prevent rot. Stake young bushes if your site is exposed to wind.