Currant is the most common berry crop in mid-latitudes. This plant is unpretentious. Gardeners know 5 secrets of an unprecedented currant harvest, which make it possible, even with a small plot, to make abundant supplies for the winter.
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Watering, fertilizing and mulching the soil
Currants are undemanding for watering. It is enough to moisten the soil around the plantings 3 times throughout the season, but this must be done correctly. The bushes need additional irrigation during the period of intensive growth of shoots and during the formation of ovaries. If you do without watering, then the berries will turn out to be small, dense and with a tough skin.
The first procedure falls on the last decade of May or early summer. These terms depend on the climatic zone. At the end of spring, branches most often begin to grow and berries are tied. The second time the manipulation is carried out with the beginning of the ripening of the berries. This happens most often in the last days of June. The last time the plantings are watered after harvest. It is not recommended to skip the third watering, since flower buds are laid at this time. If there is not enough moisture in the soil, then next spring the flowering will be insignificant.
You need to water the bushes according to the diameter of the crown: in this place there are roots that absorb liquid. so that the water does not spread, you can dig shallow grooves around the crown. A depth of 8-10 cm will be sufficient.
It is necessary to use 40-50 liters of standing water or rainwater for 1 m² of plantings. With a decrease in the amount of liquid, it will not be able to well nourish the roots of the bushes, which are at a depth of 40 cm.
If, during the planting of seedlings, a sufficient amount of organic matter was introduced into the soil, then the bushes will be able to grow without additional fertilizing for 4-5 years. Provided that the nutrient compounds were introduced only into the wells when planting plants, you will have to carry out the procedure twice a season.
Fertilizers need to be applied according to the diameter of the crown, and not at the trunk. It is best to use phosphorus and potassium compounds for this purpose. For 10 liters of water, take 20 g of superphosphate and potassium salts, stir until completely dissolved and water the plantings. For 1 bush, it is enough to take 1 bucket of solution.
In a prolonged rainy period, fertilizers are not dissolved in water, but applied immediately in the form of granules. They are scattered around the perimeter of the crown and slightly dripped.
If necessary, industrial preparations can be replaced with organic matter. Currants react well to peat, compost and a weak solution of rotted cattle manure.
In order for the currant to bear fruit well, it must be mulched. The protective layer prevents strong evaporation of moisture from the soil and prevents weeds from growing. Sawdust, turf, peat and last year's hay or straw are used as mulch.
Shelter in the cold and attract insects
Currant belongs to frost-resistant crops, but even its buds can freeze in a harsh winter. To prevent this from happening, the branches of the plant must be pressed to the soil using any fasteners. From above, the crown will be covered with snow and will serve as protection from a severe cold snap.
If frost occurs during flowering in early spring, the plantings will be saved by daily spraying with warm water and smoke. The only problem during this period will be pollination: in cold weather, insects hardly fly. In order not to lose the harvest, it is recommended to choose self-pollinating varieties of currants when planting or to attract bees to the garden.
Bees are the main pollinators of currant flowers. To attract them during the flowering of the bushes, it is necessary to treat the plantings with sweet water. To do this, dissolve 20-30 g of natural honey in 1 liter of water and spray the plantings with a spray bottle. This should be done in calm dry weather in the early morning.
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