Factsheet

#22-033 | NOVEMBER 2022

replaces OMAFRA Factsheet #98-095, Currants and Gooseberries

Growing Currants and Gooseberries

for Home Gardens

Also available in this series

• Growing Strawberries for Home Gardens
• Growing Raspberries and Blackberries for
Home Gardens
• Growing Elderberries for Home Gardens

INTRODUCTION
Currants and gooseberries are a valuable addition
to home gardens and could also be grown more
extensively commercially. The plants are hardy
enough for most areas of Ontario and can be Figure 1. Currants can be grown in most garden soils.
grown in most garden soils. This factsheet discusses Photo source: Shutterstock.com
planting, care and selecting currant and gooseberry
cultivars for the home garden.

Black currants are prized for their distinctive flavour

in juice, jam, jelly, pies and other desserts. They are
also rich in Vitamin C. Red currants (Figure 1) are
used mainly for jelly or jam. White currants are not
as popular as black and red currants. Gooseberries
(Figure 2) are eaten fresh or made into jam, pies and
other desserts. Both currants and gooseberries can
be frozen easily and kept for later use.

Figure 2. Gooseberries can be eaten fresh or made into

jam, pies or desserts. Photo source: Shutterstock.com

Ministry of Agriculture,
Food and Rural Affairs
PLANTING SITE Fertilizers
A wide range of soils can be used to grow currants Apply fertilizer and adjust soil pH according to soil
and gooseberries. However, plants grow best in tests. Currants and gooseberries perform best in a
a cool, moist but well-drained, rich clay loam. pH between 6 and 7. With spring planting, work the
On sandy soils, pay close attention to mulching fertilizer into the soil several days before planting.
and watering. In the absence of a soil test, 500–750 kg/ha
(50–75 g/m2) of 10-10-10 or equivalent is a general
Plants will tolerate partial shade, but a sunny recommendation. If fall planting, do not apply
site with good air movement gives higher yields. fertilizer until early spring. Always follow label
Powdery mildew and frost injury to blossoms can be directions.
problems in sites with poor air movement.
PLANTING
Currant and gooseberry plants are hosts for white Time
pine blister rust (see Diseases). Do not grow these Planting as soon as the soil is workable in early
crops (except Titania or Consort black currant) spring (April or May) is preferred over fall planting.
near any valuable five-needle pines. Currants and
gooseberries can serve as an alternate host for the Plants
rust fungus that causes white pine blister rust. Use strong, well-rooted, dormant, 1-year-old plants.
Two-year-old plants may also be used but are
SOIL PREPARATION more expensive. Normally it is more satisfactory to
Plantings should remain productive for at purchase plants from a nursery. However, plants can
least 8–10 years, so prepare the soil carefully be propagated as outlined under Propagation.
before planting.
Obtain plants as close to planting time as possible.
Weeds If necessary, plants can be stored for several days by
Eradicate all perennial weeds such as quackgrass, putting them in a plastic bag in a refrigerator, cold
bindweed and Canada thistle in the year prior to storage or other cool place. If roots are very dry,
planting. Do not permit weeds to go to seed. they can be sprinkled with water before going in
the plastic bag. Do not let roots sit in water or they
Organic Matter may die. If plants must be kept longer than about
The soil should have a rich supply of organic matter 2 weeks before they can be planted, dig a trench in
to promote good drainage, aeration and moisture well-drained soil, spread out the plants, set them in
retention. Apply 45 t/ha or 20 L/m2 of well-rotted the trench and cover the roots with soil. Water the
manure in late summer or fall before planting. soil if it is dry.
Work it thoroughly into the soil. Manure that is not
well-rotted should be applied the previous fall to Planting Distance
allow time for weed seeds to germinate so they may Plant gooseberries and red currants 1.0–1.25 m
be destroyed. apart in rows. Black currants are more vigorous and
should be spaced about 0.6–1.5 m apart. Rows can
Other organic materials such as weed-free straw at be as close as 2 m apart, but 3–3.5 m is preferable
15 t/ha may be used instead of manure, but such for mechanical harvesting.
materials should be well decomposed by planting
time. Incorporate straw the spring before planting, Setting Plants
apply 55 kg/ha of nitrogen or 15 grams/m2 of Set the plants slightly deeper than they were
ammonium nitrate to aid decomposition. growing in the nursery (note the soil mark on the
plant). The top roots should be at least 1 inch below
the soil. Spread out the roots and cover them with
soil. Firm the soil around the roots, being careful not
to break off young shoots. Do not let the roots dry

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out during planting. Water after planting if the soil Irrigation is necessary in sod plantings. Growing in
is dry. Prune branches to a length of 10–15 cm at sod may reduce yield. In trials in Southern Ontario
planting time. This stimulates new growth. With fall over a 6-year period, cultivation gave a 32% increase
planting, this pruning should be delayed until spring. in yields over sod culture.
Also, with fall planting, mulch around the plants to
protect the roots. Irrigation
Adequate soil moisture is important for good plant
CARE OF PLANTINGS growth, high yields and large berry size. Plants need
Blossom Removal about 25 mm of water each week from bloom time
Remove any blossoms that appear the year the to the end of harvest. If rain does not provide this
plants are set. This helps plants become well water, watering is advised. Plants should also be
established and make good root growth. watered during prolonged dry periods after harvest
until late August or early September. However, do
Weed Control and Mulching not stimulate plant growth in late fall, as hardening
Control weeds by shallow hoeing and cultivating, or of the plants is necessary to prevent winter injury.
by mulching with straw, sawdust, etc. Mulching is When watering, add enough water to moisten the
recommended for home gardens. soil to a depth of 15–20 cm and let the soil dry out
somewhat before watering again. Be careful not to
The mulch should be 5–10 cm deep, and additional water excessively or roots will be injured.
applications will be needed to maintain this depth.
Black plastic mulch has increased yields by as much Trickle irrigation is essential for currants and
as 26% in provincial trials. gooseberries. The system slowly adds small amounts
of water each day directly to the soil around the
Fertilizers base of each plant. Various types of equipment are
Fertilize plants each spring according to soil test available. More information on irrigation is available
results. As a guideline for home gardens, apply on the OMAFRA website. Trickle irrigation does
175–225 g of 10-10-10 per mature bush (in the not provide frost protection; for frost protection, a
absence of a soil test). Information on soil testing sprinkler irrigation system is necessary.
can be obtained from the Agricultural Information
Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300. Pruning
Prune when the plants are dormant in late winter or
Use fertilizer made with potassium sulfate rather early spring.
than with potassium chloride (muriate of potash).
Fertilizer should be spread in a 30-cm band from the Black currants produce the best fruit on 1-year-old
base of the plant. If plants are not mulched, apply wood. Strong 1-year-old shoots, and 2- or 3-year-old
manure annually in spring at the rate of 20–40 L shoots that have an abundance of strong 1-year-
per plant, under the branches. In large plantings, a old wood, are the most productive. Keep a total
cover crop of Italian ryegrass, spring wheat, oats or of 10–12 shoots per mature bush, with about half
buckwheat, etc., should be planted between rows being 1-year-old shoots. A few more shoots may be
from mid-August to September. Work the cover crop kept if plant vigour is very good. Remove all shoots
into the soil as soon as possible in the spring. that are more than 3 years old. Make pruning cuts
close to the ground.
Sod Culture
A permanent sod, such as creeping red fescue Red currants and gooseberries produce most of
seeded at 20 kg/ha, may be grown between the their fruit on spurs that are located on 2- and
rows. The sod eliminates the need for cultivation 3-year-old wood. After pruning, a healthy bush
and cover crops. Sod makes a clean walking area should have 3–4 shoots each of 1-, 2- and 3-year-old
for hand picking. Keep the sod mowed closely until shoots (a total of 9–12 shoots). Remove all shoots
after harvest; let the sod grow in late summer. older than 3 years.

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Remove branches hanging close to the ground Gooseberries are harvested as individual berries.
to improve ease of harvest. Also, for control of Some people prefer immature berries for jams and
diseases and insects, remove and destroy any pies, so harvest the berries when they have nearly
diseased tips of branches as well as branches that reached full size but before they are ripe. Other
are late leafing out, dying or sickly. people prefer fully mature berries. If desired, canvas
or other material can be spread under the bush, and
Frost Injury to Blossoms the gooseberries knocked off onto it.
Currants and gooseberries bloom early in the
spring. Severe frosts can injure blossoms and young YIELDS
developing berries. Frosts cause fewer problems in Plants should not be permitted to bear fruit the year
sites with good air drainage. they are planted. In the second year, a light crop can
be harvested; and, by the third year, plants usually
In small plantings, cloth or paper covers can be put bear full crops. Beginning in the third year, a harvest
over plants for frost protection. Plastic usually gives of 1 kg/plant is considered average, However, yields
little or no protection. In larger plantings, sprinkler of black currants are often only about half of this
irrigation is effective. Special nozzles that deliver amount. Plants should remain productive for at
about 2.5 mm of water/hr are used. The conversion least 8–10 years.
of water to ice on the plants releases heat that
protects blossoms and berries. Start applying CULTIVARS
water over the plants when the temperature is Black Currants
low enough that the water freezes (about –1°C). Ben Alder: Mid-season, consistent cropping,
Irrigation should continue until the film of water producing large, firm berries. Plants of medium
covering the blossoms and berries would not freeze vigour. They are resistant to powdery mildew and
if irrigation stopped. Trickle irrigation is not useful susceptible to white pine blister rust. Good for
for frost protection. mechanical harvesting. Berries of high juice quality.

Pollination Ben Sarek: Mid-season, consistent cropping,

Currant and gooseberry cultivars are self-fruitful and producing very large, firm berries. Plants are
do not need pollen from another cultivar to produce semi-dwarf. They are resistant to powdery mildew
good crops. Honeybee hives are recommended for and moderately resistant to white pine blister
larger plantings, as they may set more fruit with rust. Berries are suitable for processing but are
increased pollination. considered to have low juice quality.

Harvesting Consort: Early mid-season and only fair in

The berries on a currant bush ripen over a 2-week productivity. The clusters are medium in length with
period. Once a berry ripens, it can usually be left berries medium-small, medium in firmness, poor
on the bush a week or more without dropping or to fair for mechanical harvesting. Berries shake off
becoming over-mature. Therefore, most of the with some tearing at the stem end, and quite a few
berries on a bush can be harvested in one picking. berries have stems attached. Plants are susceptible
With more frequent picking, there is a tendency to to leaf spot and extremely susceptible to mildew,
pick berries that are not fully ripened. but resistant to white pine blister rust. Of value
where resistance to rust is required.
Black currants are usually picked as individual
berries. With red currants, whole clusters are Titania: Mid-season, consistent cropping, producing
picked, and berries are stripped from the stems large firm berries. Plants are extremely vigorous.
later. For making juice or jelly, the berries may be They are resistant to powdery mildew and white
crushed without removing them from the fruit pine blister rust. Berries are good for processing,
stems, since the product is strained. with moderately high juice quality.

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Red Currants PROPAGATION
Cascade: Early season. Ripens several days earlier Currants and American-type gooseberry cultivars
than Red Lake. Plants are vigorous, have a slightly can be propagated from cuttings. Take cuttings in
sprawling type of growth with medium productivity. late fall from healthy wood produced that summer.
The clusters are medium-short to medium in length Make cuttings 15–20 cm long with the bottom cut
with large, medium dark red, attractive berries. just below a bud, and the top cut about 10 mm
Berries are susceptible to sunscald and must be above a bud. That fall, set cuttings 15 cm apart in
picked promptly when mature. well-drained soil in a nursery area. Plant them deep
enough so that one or two buds extend out of the
Red Lake: Late mid-season (ripens in mid-July in soil and cover them with straw. In the spring, the
moderate hardiness zones such as 7a Vineland straw can be removed or left as mulch around the
in the Niagara Region). Plants are vigorous, very cuttings. Cuttings can also be taken in early spring
productive. The clusters are medium long and easy before buds leaf out. Store the cuttings in a plastic
to pick. Berries are medium large, light red and bag in a refrigerator and plant them out in the
attractive. This is the highest-yielding cultivar in nursery row as soon as possible. After a season’s
Vineland trials. growth, plants grown from cuttings can be planted
in their permanent place.
Gooseberries — American Type
Captivator: Ripens slightly after Clark. Plants are European-type gooseberries do not grow well from
tall, vigorous, almost spineless, fairly resistant to cuttings as described above. Instead, European
mildew, only moderate in productivity. Berries are types can be propagated by layering in fall or
medium‑small, dull red when ripe, good quality and spring. Bend down branches, still attached to the
easy to harvest by hand or machine. Plants have a plants, and partly cover them with soil. Use pegs
fairly open and upright type of growth. Propagated to hold down the branches. Roots will form along
by hardwood cuttings. the branches where they contact the soil. After a
season’s growth, the branches should have rooted
Gooseberries — European or English Type well enough for digging. Often several plants can be
Cultivars of this type have large berries but are obtained from one branch.
susceptible to mildew and may not be hardy enough
for colder regions of Ontario. CONTROL OF DISEASES AND INSECTS
Common disease and insect pests are described
Clark: Early (ripens in late July at Vineland). The below. To protect Ontarians from unnecessary
most productive of European gooseberry types risk, Ontario bans the cosmetic use of pesticides
tested at Vineland. The berries are very large, by only allowing certain, low-risk pesticides for
red when ripe, and fairly easy to harvest by hand controlling weeds and pests in gardens. Pesticides
or machine. Plants are spiny, short, moderately can only be used for cosmetic purposes if the use
vigorous, fairly dense, with many branches close is permitted under an exception to the ban, or the
to the ground. Require careful pruning to be able active ingredient in the pesticide is included on the
to place a collection frame under branches for Allowable List, found here www.ontario.ca/page/
mechanical harvesting. Propagated by layering. using-pesticides-ontario.

Fredonia: Early mid-season. Ripens several days Visit the Ontario Crop Protection Hub and
after Clark. Medium in productivity. Berries are consult fruit specialists from the Ontario
large, red when ripe, somewhat difficult to pick Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs for
but can be shaken off by machine. Plants are additional information.
spiny, slightly short, fair in vigour with a somewhat
upright and fairly open type of growth. Propagated
by layering.

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DISEASES INSECTS
Anthracnose (Leaf Spot) Aphids
This is a serious disease of black currants and Small greenish-yellow aphids feed on the under
can also cause severe injury to red currants and surface of young leaves at the tips of shoots.
gooseberries. Many small, brown spots occur on These leaves curl downward and have a blistered
leaves from mid‑summer to late fall. Badly infected appearance. Red currants are particularly
leaves turn yellow and drop. The main damage is susceptible, and affected leaves are weakened and
the defoliation, which may occur as early as the may die. Small numbers of aphids can be removed
end of July. Early defoliation reduces growth and or crushed by hand when they are discovered.
causes loss of crop the following year. Spots can also Small, localized populations on leaves or stems can
occur on young shoots, leaf petioles, fruit stems and be pruned off. Do not overfertilize plants, as aphid
berries. The fungus lives over winter, mainly in fallen outbreaks tend to be worse when nitrogen levels
leaves. Remove and destroy fallen infected leaves are high.
in late fall or in the early spring before buds burst.
Apply any new mulch after leaves drop. Currant Borer
This insect can cause serious injury to currant
Powdery Mildew and, to some extent, gooseberries. The adult is a
Black currants and European types of gooseberries clear‑winged moth similar in size and appearance
are especially susceptible to powdery mildew. In to a thin housefly. Wings have black bands, and
early summer, a white powdery fungus growth the body has several narrow yellow bands. The
appears on young leaves and tips of branches and moths appear in mid-June and lay eggs in the axils
new shoots. The fungus may spread over much of of leaves. The young larvae bore into the pith of
the bush and often occurs on gooseberry fruits. the shoot and feed there. The following spring,
It seldom occurs on the berries of currants. Later, affected shoots often leaf out late, are sickly and
the white powdery growth becomes brown, and may die. When an injured shoot is cut, a dark
forms a felt-like coating over affected parts. Shoot hole can be seen where the larva has tunneled in
growth is often stunted, tips may be killed and the pith. The yellowish-white larvae, which are
gooseberry fruits may also be stunted. The fungus about 12 mm long, may also be present. When
is spread by spores. Warm, humid conditions favour pruning, remove and destroy branches that have
its development. Cut off and destroy diseased dark, hollow piths. Also, remove and destroy
tips of shoots and branches when pruning in the any dying or sickly branches during the growing
winter or early spring. Provide a site with good air season. Follow recommended pruning practices
circulation. Control can be obtained by planting and do not let shoots become too old. Keep plants
resistant cultivars. growing vigorously.

White Pine Blister Rust Currant Fruit Fly

The fungus causing this disease spends part of The adult flies emerge about the time currants
its life cycle on currants or gooseberries and part are in bloom. The female lays eggs in developing
on white pine. The disease can cause serious berries. The eggs hatch into maggots, which feed
problems with white (five-needle) pines. Do not inside the berries. Affected fruits of currants and
plant currants or gooseberries within 300 m of gooseberries ripen prematurely, and many drop to
susceptible pines. Black currant cultivars such the ground before the normal harvest time. A small
as Titania and Consort are resistant to rust. white maggot will be found in each fallen berry. The
insect leaves the berry and spends the winter in the
soil. Remove and destroy infested berries to reduce
risk the following season.

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Currant Sawfly Many home gardeners have problems with
The larvae of this insect are smooth greenish worms premature fruit drop. In most cases, the variety that
with many black spots. The worms are about 20 mm they are growing is susceptible to cold, above‑0°C
long when fully grown. They feed on the edge of temperatures before bloom. Growers should
leaves and can strip plants of much of their foliage. avoid Magnus and Willoughby, as these cultivars
When signs of feeding are noticed, usually early in are particularly prone to this phenomenon. Ben
the season, kill any worms present. Alder and Ben Sarek produce less ethylene and are
therefore less susceptible to “runoff.”
Scale Insects
Several scale insects attack currants and
gooseberries. The small scales (round or like an This factsheet was written by Ontario Ministry of
Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs fruit specialists.
oyster shell) can easily be seen on dormant wood.
These insects suck juices from the tender wood and
sometimes occur on the fruit. A light infestation
may be kept in check by birds and beneficial insects.
Scale biological controls are commercially available
and may help reduce populations.

PREMATURE FRUIT DROP

Black currants frequently suffer from premature
fruit drop several weeks after bloom. In Europe, this
phenomenon is called “run-off” and is thought to be
caused by lack of seed set in the fruit.

Run-off is a complex problem with a number

of causes, including susceptible cultivars,
self‑incompatibility, lack of pollination (too few
pollinators or poor pollinating conditions), soil
fertility levels, virus, currant fruit fly, drought,
excessive moisture, botrytis, frost or varietal
intolerance of cold above 0°C temperatures.

Research at the Vineland Horticultural Research

Institute found that the variety Magnus can lose
60% of its fruit if the overwintering buds are
subjected to 2°C for 2 days when the fruit buds are
at the grape stage, the period when the fruit buds
are just beginning to expand (usually 1 or 2 weeks
before flowering).

Published by the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Agricultural Information Contact Centre:

Food and Rural Affairs 1-877-424-1300
© KIng’s Printer for Ontario, 2022 1-855-696-2811 (TTY)
ISSN 1198-712X E-mail: ag.info.omafra@ontario.ca
Également disponible en français (Fiche technique 22-034) ontario.ca/omafra