5 Secrets for Increasing Blackcurrant Yields 0 28

Blackcurrant may seem like a plant that requires little care.

There are 5 tricks that can significantly increase the yield.

Timely Watering

Many gardeners believe that blackcurrant does not need watering. In fact, it is sufficient to water only 3 times during the season, but there are some nuances.

The first watering should be done during the growth of the shoots. If there is not enough moisture, the number of shoots will begin to decrease. The second watering is done during the appearance of the berries. If the soil is dry at this time, do not expect a good harvest. The third watering should be done after harvesting, but it is often ignored.

Five buckets of warm water should be poured per square meter of the root circle. For better results, it is recommended to make furrows 10 centimeters deep before watering.

Fertilization

Many gardeners forget about fertilization, believing that blackcurrant can do without fertilizers. However, the lack of fertilizers negatively affects the yield.

Fertilization is recommended to be applied 2 times per season: the first time during the appearance of the ovaries, the second time after fruiting. Fertilizers should be applied not in the center, but in the furrows around the bush.

It is best to use phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, such as potassium sulfate or superphosphate. Proportions: 1 tablespoon of fertilizer per 1 liter of water. The water should be warm. Ash can also be used — 500 g per bush.

Mulching

The main problem for the growth of blackcurrant is dry soil. To avoid this, mulching is recommended. For mulch, you can use:

• peat;
• sawdust;
• straw;
• newspapers.

When using mulch, it is important to remember about preventive treatment against pests, as they can actively develop in the mulch.

Frost Protection

There are varieties of blackcurrant that can withstand severe frosts, but this does not mean that the plants do not need protection. During prolonged frosts, buds may freeze, which will negatively affect fruiting.

If a lot of snow has fallen in winter, it will provide natural protection. In other cases, measures should be taken to protect against frost, such as spraying the bushes with water or using smoke.

Bees Are Needed in the Garden

If there are no bees in the area, you can forget about a good harvest, as blackcurrant requires pollination.

Attracting bees is not difficult: just spray the branches with sweet water. Add a tablespoon of honey to a liter of water. This method can also be used for other fruit trees.

You can also plant bee-attracting plants, such as:

• asters;
• hyacinths;
• peonies;
• helianthemums;
• honeysuckle and others.

Flowers should be planted in sunny areas protected from strong winds.