Currants and Gooseberries Not Popular Relatives

Currants were among fruit plants sent to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1629, which appears to be their first introduction into the United States. European currants grow very well in North America, and the red currant gained early popularity. The black currant, extensively grown in northern Europe, never gained popularity in this country. Dried currants, sold in both Europe and the United States, are not really a currant but actually a type of grape which has been dried.

The origin of gooseberries is even more obscure than that of currants, but there are species native to North America. European gooseberries had serious mildew problems. Therefore, improved American varieties resistant to the disease are now usually planted. Both currants and gooseberries are cold climate plants. They do not thrive in hot, dry places. Gooseberries can be grown in more southern areas than currants, but either crop should be located in a northern exposure where it is shaded during the hottest part of the day in summer.

They are both reliably hardy plants and do not need any winter protection. Because they are so tolerant of cold weather, they are one of the best small fruits for the northern Great Plains area. Both gooseberries and currants flower very early in the spring. Therefore, they are better planted on high ground. Both plants like a rich, well drained soil high in organic matter. Silt and clay loams are most suitable. They will not thrive in loose, sandy soils that become hot during the summer or in low land where water stands at any time during the year.

Because currants and gooseberries have not been extremely popular home garden crops, few varieties are available to the home gardener. Red Lake is the most popular red currant variety while Pixwell is the most popular gooseberry. Other varieties may sometimes be available, and should not be ignored by those who are fond of these fruits. Welcome is a nearly thornless gooseberry. Some states will not allow growing currants or gooseberries because they are the alternate host of white pine buster rust.

The European black currant is a more serious host of this disease and, therefore, is not grown. Currants and gooseberries should be planted as early in the spring as possible since they start to grow quickly. If early spring planting cannot be done, it may be better to wait until fall.

They should be planted four to five feet apart in the row with an equal or greater distance between rows, depending upon the equipment available to keep them cultivated. A straw or sawdust mulch in home plantings helps keep down weeds and eliminates the need for frequent cultivation. Their roots are fairly shallow, so plants should not be cultivated deeply.

Plants are low and bushy. As they grow each season, they may be pruned by thinning out some of the old cane. During the first years, select only six to eight vigorous canes, and gradually develop the plants with a total of nine to twelve canes. In spring, cut out canes over three years old, and allow a few new shoots to take their place so that a plant with six to ten bearing canes and three or four non-bearing canes is maintained during each season.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gooseberry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackcurrant
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redcurrant