Red currant is a small beautiful shrub. And the berries growing on it have a bright color and a pleasant sweet and sour taste.
The best time to plant shrubs is autumn. A plant planted in September will have time to take root and prepare for winter, and in the spring it will begin to grow with renewed vigor.
Choosing a location and neighbors on the site
For healthy growth and abundant fruiting of red currants, it is necessary to take a responsible approach to choosing a location. It is recommended to plant the shrub on a level and well-lit place, which should be protected from the winds. The distance to the nearest buildings and plants is no more than 1-1.5 meters.
It is not recommended to plant currants next to raspberries, gooseberries or fruit trees. These plants have the same nutrient requirements and common diseases. But vegetable and cereal crops will be good neighbors for the shrub.
Preparing the soil and pit
To grow currants, you need light sandy loam or chernozem soil with neutral acidity.
The hole for planting is dug in July - August. Its dimensions should be 2 times the size of the root system. Pour 15–20 cm of compost, wood ash or special mineral fertilizers into the bottom of the pit, mix well and spill with water. In a few months, the soil will settle well and cause less damage to the roots of the seedling when planting in the fall.
Seedling preparation
Preparing a seedling before planting is an important and responsible stage.The roots of young plants are inspected, damaged and dried areas are cut off, the old soil is washed and removed. Then the root system is placed in water or a solution of a growth stimulator (Yantarin, Atlet or Heteroauxin) for 1–2 hours.
Layout and landing
When planting red currants, the variety and growth rate of the plant are taken into account. There are 3 planting schemes:
- Lonely bushes. In this case, the distance between seedlings is 1.5-2 meters.
- Rows. Currants are planted at a distance of 0.5-1 m between the roots. This scheme is suitable for summer cottages with a small area.
- Tight rows. Seedlings are placed at a distance of 0.4-0.6 m. This method of placing bushes forms dense rows, saves space and is used for industrial cultivation.
Planting red currants is not difficult even for a novice summer resident. It consists of the following steps:
- a bucket of water is poured into the prepared hole;
- lower the seedling at a slight angle and carefully straighten the roots;
- the root collar of the plant should be at a depth of 7–10 cm;
- cover the roots with soil and press down lightly;
- The planting hole is watered with water and covered with mulch.
Care after landing
Caring for a planted plant involves watering as needed. It is recommended to cover the bush before the onset of frost.
Planting red currants in the fall is easy if you follow simple rules.
