With proper care, currants and gooseberries bear fruit for several decades. But for this they need to be regularly watered, fertilized, loosened and cut off in summer, spring and autumn. In this article I will tell you how to do it correctly.
When you need to cut currant bushes, gooseberries
I always prune fruit bushes in the spring or fall. In the summer, I remove shoots only when absolutely necessary (if they are heavily infested with pests, disease, or are broken). In the spring, I remove branches that have suffered after winter. But it is important to have time to complete the procedure before the start of sap flow.
Autumn is the most favorable time to remove shoots, since the bushes are in a dormant period.
Spring pruning
I do spring pruning in late March / early April. For this I use a sharp and clean pruner or garden shears. If the branches are too thick, they are cut with a hacksaw or saw.
Currant bushes form within 6 years after planting. Their first pruning is carried out immediately after planting. For this, I recommend completely removing the branches and leaving only a few developed buds. As a result, about 5 powerful shoots will form on the bush. The next year, the currants are trimmed in the same way, but up to 8 buds are left. The tops of the shoots are pinched. All weak branches are removed. In the third year, all branches are cut to a length of 1/3. 5 years after planting, the bush is cut in such a way that 15 strong branches remain on it. Further, the bushes are cut in the same way so that only young shoots remain on each.
Gooseberry pruning
Gooseberry bushes are pruned depending on their type and variety. Short-lived shrubs are cut using the same technology as currants. And durable 7-8 years after planting.
I also recommend gooseberries to do anti-aging pruning. It is best to carry out this procedure in the spring. But this must be done before bud break.
Spring pruning of gooseberries and currants contributes to:
- rejuvenation of the bushes;
- the supply of nutrients to the ovaries;
- reducing the likelihood of disease and pest attacks;
- correct formation of new shoots;
- increase in productivity.
Benefits of Autumn Pruning
Autumn pruning for currants and gooseberries plays an important role:
- forms the correct skeleton of the bushes;
- provides access to all branches, which makes it easier to view the shoots for the detection of pests and diseases;
- allows you to prepare cuttings for further planting.
For autumn pruning:
- old and damaged branches are removed;
- all branches thickening bushes are cut off;
- only 6 annuals, 4 two-year-olds, 3 three-year-olds, 2 four-year-old shoots are left. That is, after pruning, there should be no more than 25 powerful shoots on the bushes.
As you can see, cutting currants and gooseberries plays an important role. When to hold it - in summer, spring or autumn, you decide. But I always recommend doing this either in early spring before the start of sap flow, or in the fall, before the onset of stable frosts.
Read also: To help beginner gardeners: common mistakes when pruning grapes
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