Currant plant

Organic currant plants: fruit bushes that make you happy

Looking for an easy, tasty, and beautiful fruit bush for your garden or balcony? Then currants are just what you need. These prolific plants—also known as currants, redcurrants, whitecurrants, pinkcurrants, or cassisberries—come in red, white, pink, and black varieties. Currants originate from Central and Eastern Europe and are a member of the gooseberry family. They yield a generous harvest year after year and can be harvested annually. At Plukkers.com, you'll find only organic currant plants , specially selected for their flavor, health, and vigour. Whether you're a novice picker or have been making your own jam for years: with these plants, you'll reap the best from your garden.

Why organic currant plants?

You're not just choosing organic. You're choosing plants that have been raised without artificial fuss. They grow slowly and therefore develop strong resistance and a rich flavor. Currants are also:

• Packed with vitamin C, fiber and antioxidants – good for your body and deliciously refreshing.
• Productive and reliable – you can pick plenty of berries in June and July.
• Suitable for any garden – or even in a pot on your balcony.
• Fun for kids – pick, taste and make your own syrup.

Which currant suits you?

Each color, such as redcurrants, whitecurrants, and blackcurrants, has its own flavor, uses, and charm. All these different varieties produce delicious fruits. Below you'll find our organic favorites:

Red currant: fresh and a favourite

Jonkheer van Tets Organic - this red currant is a classic: tangy and tart, firm in texture, and perfect for jam or syrup. The berries grow in long clusters, making them easy to harvest. Pick early and in abundance.

Tip: For the best harvest of currants, carefully pick the bunches when they are fully ripe, so as not to damage the berries. A robust all-rounder.

White currant: soft and refined

Werdavia BIO - a mildly sweet berry with a soft bite. The white currant is a mild fruit known for its subtle flavor. Its translucent white color adds a special touch to your garden and your plate. Ideal for refreshing desserts.

Pink currant: a little bit different

Gloire des Sablons BIO - softly sweet, light pink berries that are a hit with children and adults alike. Unique in color, subtle in flavor. A truly surprising addition.

Blackcurrant: a powerhouse with character

Titania BIO - this is the blackcurrant, also known as the cassis berry, just as you'd hope to taste it: full of aroma, dark in color, and rich in antioxidants. Blackcurrants are often used for syrup, jam, or simply enjoyed plain.

How to plant and care for your currants

You don't need a green thumb to succeed with currants. With a little attention, they grow into strong, healthy bushes that can reach a height of 1.5 to 2 meters.

Planting time: Currants can be planted from September to March, depending on the type of plant (bare-root plants are best for winter, but potted plants don't really care). Before planting, place the root ball or bare root in a bucket of water.

Location: Choose a sunny or partially shaded spot; a sunny location is ideal for a bountiful harvest. Currants prefer slightly sandy soil, but also grow well in clay soil provided it is well-worked. Ensure the soil is well-drained; mix sandy soil with compost for optimal growth. Feel free to combine currants with other plants in the garden, but give them plenty of space.

Planting distance: 1 to 1.5 meters between the bushes. This distance ensures the plants have enough room to grow and stay healthy.

Water: Water regularly, especially in the first year.

Fertilization: Apply an organic soft fruit fertilizer in spring to encourage growth and fruit formation.

Pruning: In winter, prune old branches back to the perennial wood. When pruning, look for outward-facing buds and also remove crossing branches to create an airy shrub. Don't remove too many leaves to ensure the plant can perform sufficient photosynthesis. Supporting currants helps give the shrub structure and guide its growth. Use our sharp, powerful pruning shears .

Cuttings: Currants are easy to propagate by cuttings; cut a healthy branch in autumn or early spring and place it in moist soil.

Flowering and fruiting: Currant flowers are important for pollination by bees and other insects. After flowering, the fruits develop. Although currant plants are self-pollinating, it's best to plant different varieties that pollinate each other for a better yield.

Harvest and yield: on average, you can harvest several kilograms of berries per bush. You can easily protect the bush with bird netting to ensure the harvest.

Tip: Protect the harvest from birds with nets or other deterrents.

Pests and diseases of currants

You've lovingly planted and cared for your currant bushes, but even the strongest can sometimes encounter annoying pests or diseases. Don't panic! With the right care and a little vigilance, you can prevent many problems. And if something does go wrong, you can simply take action quickly. This way, you'll keep your bushes healthy and enjoy delicious red, white, and black currants from your own garden year after year.

One of the most common diseases affecting currants is red lead fungus (Nectria cinnabarina – sounds more complicated than it is!). This fungus is recognizable by small red dots on the twigs and withered leaves. Bushes that are weakened are particularly susceptible to this. If you see affected shoots, simply cut them back to the healthy wood. Then give your plant plenty of water to help it regain its strength.

Powdery mildew is another common culprit, especially in redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) and blackcurrants (Ribes nigrum). You can recognize this fungus by a white, powdery coating on the leaves—as if someone has sprinkled flour on them. Ensure adequate air circulation between your bushes by pruning regularly and remove affected shoots immediately. Don't throw these on the compost heap, as that will only spread the fungus further.

Besides fungi, you can also encounter insect pests such as aphids and mulberry scales. These primarily attack the young shoots of red and black currant bushes. Fortunately, you can often simply spray these pests away with a strong jet of water—handy, right? For a serious infestation, you can opt for organic crop protection , which keeps everything nice and natural.

The currant gall mite is particularly bothersome for your blackcurrant bushes (Ribes nigrum). This tiny mite damages the shoot tips, resulting in stunted growth and reduced fruit production. For mild infestations, pruning away the affected parts helps. If the infestation is more extensive, a thorough winter pruning is your best bet.

Prevention is always better than cure—you probably know that. So choose robust varieties that can handle a bit more and give your berry bushes a good start in airy, nutrient-rich soil with plenty of compost. Provide plenty of water, especially during dry spells, and prune annually to keep your bushes open and healthy. Check regularly to make sure everything is still looking good, so you can intervene quickly and ensure your harvest of delicious berries.

With these tips, your redcurrant, whitecurrant, and blackcurrant bushes will stay strong and productive. This way, you can enjoy full clusters of ripening berries every year, freshly picked from your own garden – that's the best way to enjoy them!

Picking, processing and storing

Harvest time: June to July, depending on the variety. The berries are harvested by hand, carefully plucking the ripe clusters from the bush to avoid damage. Ripe fruit is recognized by its full color and firm texture. Harvesting usually occurs when the fruit is fully red and easily detached. It's best to harvest the entire cluster with sharp shears .

Uses: delicious as a snack, in yoghurt, as a syrup or in pastries.

Storage: You can store harvested fruit in the refrigerator or frozen – this way you can enjoy your own harvest all year round.

Enjoying our own soil

Plant them, give them some love, and you'll be rewarded with delicious fruit year after year. Whether you choose the classic red currant or the surprisingly pink variety, each bush brings color, flavor, and joy. So put on yourgardening gloves , dig a nice spot, and start picking. You'll be happy – year after year.