How to grow ribes

When To Plant

• It is best to plant Ribes in September/October or April/May. If you buy a container-grown plant in the summer, plant it as soon as possible and water it regularly, to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged
• On a very free-draining or dry soil dig in some organic matter such as rotted manure, garden compost or leaf mould to help hold moisture in the soil
• Water thoroughly after planting

Where To Plant

• Ribes like a sunny position, but will tolerate light shade. If you plant in the shade it will produce less flower than in a sunny spot
• Ribes are very hardy, and grow in most garden soils
• Allow enough space for your plant to grow into – flowering currants range in size from 1m (3ft) to 2.5m (8ft), depending on the species, so check the label before you buy the plant

How To Plant

• Begin by preparing the soil - dig in a bucketful of well-rotted organic matter or garden compost per square metre in the bed where you are planting the Ribes. This will encourage root growth and help hold moisture in the drier months
• After planting, lightly tread or use your hands to firm the ground around the plant to remove any air pockets - this will ensure the soil level doesn't drop and expose the roots
• Water thoroughly, ensuring the top 15cm (6in) of soil is moist. Dig down nearby with a trowel if you are unsure how moist the soil is

How To plant Shrubs

How To plant Shrubs

Easy maintenance

However, during very dry periods they may need additional water even when established. Signs of water stress are shrivelled leaves with brown edges and leaves falling off the plant.

Ribes do not need regular feeding, but to encourage vigorous growth after pruning, plants can be fed annually in March/April, with a general purpose fertiliser such as Growmore or fish, blood and bone, or mulch with organic matter.

Feeding Plants

Feeding Plants

• Pruning is not essential, but it does help keep the plant to the shape and size you want
• Ribes flower on previous season's growth, so pruning after flowering has finished encourages strong young stems which will increase the amount of flower the following year
• Prune the stems that have flowered back to strong young growth 
• On established plants, or neglected plants, remove about a fifth of the older stems back to the base of the plant each year

Pruning early flowering shrubs

Pruning early flowering shrubs