Redcurrant Revelations: Sweet, Tangy, and Bursting with Flavour

Guest post by Katrina & Clayton

Redcurrants are well-suited to the Scottish climate, which offers cool summers and mild winters, ideal for soft fruits. Unlike some fruiting plants that require a long growing season, redcurrants don’t need intense heat to develop flavourful berries. In fact, they prefer cooler weather, making them an excellent choice for Scottish gardeners.

Growing Redcurrants In Scotland

Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum) are a popular berry known for their bright red colour, tart flavour, and versatility in the kitchen. In Scotland, redcurrants thrive due to the cool climate and are an excellent choice for gardeners who want to grow their own soft fruits. 

Redcurrants are packed with nutrients, including vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fibre, making them a healthy addition to your diet. They are commonly used to make jams, sauces, desserts, and even beverages such as cordials and wines, redcurrant leaves are sometimes used to make herbal teas too. 

Variety Selection: Some of the best varieties for the Scottish climate include ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ (an early variety with large, juicy berries), ‘Rovada’ (known for its heavy yield and disease resistance), and ‘Laxton’s No. 1’ (a reliable performer in cooler regions). These varieties are hardy and can handle Scotland’s cool summers while producing great crops.

Climate Considerations: Redcurrants are frost tolerant and perform well in regions where the temperature doesn’t soar too high during summer. The long daylight hours in Scottish summers also benefit redcurrants, allowing them to ripen fully even in cooler conditions. However, it’s essential to ensure they’re sheltered from strong winds, which can damage the branches and reduce yields.

Planting Redcurrants

Timing: The best time to plant redcurrants in Scotland is in late autumn or early winter (October to December). Planting during this period allows the plants to establish their root systems before the growing season begins. Alternatively, you can plant in early spring (March), but avoid planting during frost.

Site Selection: Redcurrants prefer a location that receives full sun or partial shade. In Scotland, where summers are generally cooler, planting redcurrants in full sun will ensure they receive enough warmth to produce abundant fruit. However, they can tolerate partial shade, especially in warmer regions where too much sun may cause leaf scorch.

Planting Technique:

Spacing: Space redcurrant bushes about 1.5-2 metres (5-6 feet) apart to ensure good air circulation and provide enough space for the branches to spread.

Planting Hole: Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball. The depth should allow the plant’s crown (where the stems meet the roots) to sit just at or slightly below soil level.

Backfilling and Watering: Backfill the hole with a mixture of garden soil and compost to improve fertility. Water the plant well after planting to help the soil settle and eliminate any air pockets, Caledonian Green Goodness is great for this.

Pruning Redcurrants

Pruning is essential for maintaining the health and productivity of redcurrant bushes. Proper pruning encourages the plant to produce new, fruitful wood while preventing it from becoming overcrowded.

When to Prune: The best time to prune redcurrants in Scotland is during late winter or early spring (February to March), when the plant is still dormant. This prevents excessive sap loss and ensures the plant can recover quickly as the growing season begins.

How to Prune:

Year 1 Pruning: After planting, cut back the stems by about half their length. This encourages the plant to produce new growth and develop a strong framework of branches.

Annual Pruning: In subsequent years, remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Cut back old wood (branches older than three years) to the base to make room for new, productive shoots. Also, thin out the centre of the bush to improve air circulation and light.

Summer Pruning: After fruiting, you can also perform light pruning to remove spent fruiting stems and encourage the development of new shoots.

Caring for Redcurrants

Watering: Redcurrants need consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. However, they don’t like waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. In Scotland’s rainy climate, you may not need to water frequently, but it’s essential to ensure that the soil doesn’t dry out during prolonged dry spells.

Mulching: Apply a thick layer of mulch, we use leaves or leaf mould but you can use compost, straw, or wood chips around the base of the plant in spring. Mulching helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and gradually adds nutrients to the soil as it decomposes.

Companion Planting with Redcurrants

Companion planting is an excellent way to enhance the health and productivity of redcurrant bushes while reducing pest problems and improving soil health.

Chives and garlic: These alliums help deter aphids and other pests from redcurrant bushes, making them excellent companion plants.

Marigolds: Planting marigolds near your redcurrants can attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings, which feed on harmful pests.

Borage: This herb attracts pollinators, which can help increase fruit set in redcurrants.

Nasturtiums: These colourful flowers not only repel aphids but also act as a trap crop, drawing pests away from redcurrants.

Optimal Soil for Redcurrants

Soil Requirements: Redcurrants prefer well-drained, loamy soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be slightly acidic to neutral, with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0. In Scotland, where the soil can vary in texture and acidity, it’s important to test the soil’s pH before planting and amend it if necessary.

Soil Preparation:

Amendments: If your soil is heavy or clay-like, improve drainage by incorporating organic matter such as compost like Caledonian Green Goodness. This will help create the loamy texture that redcurrants prefer. Avoid waterlogged soils, as redcurrants dislike sitting in wet conditions.

Mulching: As mentioned earlier, mulching helps improve soil fertility and moisture retention, which are important for healthy redcurrant plants.

Redcurrants are an excellent choice for Scottish gardens, thriving in the cool, temperate climate. Whether you’re growing redcurrants for homemade jams or simply to enjoy fresh from the bush, this versatile plant will add flavour and beauty to your garden for years to come.

Katrina & Clayton

Katrina & Clayton live with their family in East Ayrshire in Scotland and share their daily life in the garden on instagram @buildingfoodforest_scotland. They practice permaculture principles, reducing & repurposing waste whenever they can. Katrina shows how home educating in nature has helped Clayton thrive.

Clayton Completed The Grow and Learn Course with the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society in 2022. This year he will be completing Level 2 Nurture Course. Clayton is 16, Autistic, Non Verbal & has been Home Educated for the last 6yrs. Both Katrina and husband Peter have studied the Permaculture Design Course PDC and PDC Pro over the last 5yrs, developing their garden from grass to an ongoing food forest.

They have featured on BBC Beechgrove Gardens, Gardeners World Magazine and write for Scotland Grows Magazine.  Katrina has a series of children’s story books out following the life of Clayton in the garden. Available at Amazon.

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