Blackcurrant
Ribes nigrum
A fruit, planted at any time of year.
In September: nothing to do. It can be planted now.
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Blackcurrant, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant a pot-grown blackcurrant. | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual |
| Plant a bare-root blackcurrant. | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none |
| Prune the blackcurrant (bush plants only). | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Feed the blackcurrant. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Mulch the blackcurrant. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Pick the blackcurrants. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Planting
Plant a pot-grown blackcurrant at any time of year, 1.5 to 1.8m apart, rows 1.8m apart. Strong sources: RHS and Gardeners’ World.
Plant a bare-root blackcurrant October to March, 1.5 to 1.8m apart, rows 1.8m apart. Strong sources: RHS and Gardeners’ World.
Prune the blackcurrant
Gardeners call this blackcurrant renewal pruning.
For bush plants only.
Cut up to a third of the oldest stems down to the base; they are darker and thicker.
Usually December to February. Strong source: RHS.
Feed the blackcurrant
Use pelleted chicken manure or another high-potash fertiliser, then add a thick mulch.
Usually March to May. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Mulch the blackcurrant
Spread a thick layer of garden compost or well-rotted manure, leaving a small clear circle around the stems.
Usually March to May. Strong source: RHS.
Pick the blackcurrants
Usually July to August. Moderate source: Jacksons Nurseries.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Blackcurrant” comes from.