Step-by-Step: Growing Blackcurrants in the UK – A Complete Guide

Introduction

Rich in antioxidants, bursting with vitamin C, and full of sharp, tangy flavour—blackcurrants are a true superfruit and a wonderful addition to any UK garden or allotment. These hardy shrubs are easy to grow, highly productive, and long-lived, making them ideal for gardeners of all experience levels. Whether you’re growing for juice, jam, baking, or snacking, this guide will help you succeed from planting to harvest.

In this complete, step-by-step article, you’ll learn exactly how to grow blackcurrants in the UK, including the best varieties, planting times, care techniques, and harvesting tips for years of bountiful, juicy yields.

Why Grow Blackcurrants?

💪 Super nutritious – Rich in vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants
🪴 Hardy and low maintenance – Thrives in UK conditions
🧃 Versatile crop – Great for jam, cordial, wine, pies, and freezing
🌿 High yields – Up to 4kg of fruit per bush in peak years
🌞 Shade tolerant – Grows well even in less sunny spots

Best Blackcurrant Varieties for UK Gardens

Variety	Notes
Ben Sarek	Compact, heavy cropper, ideal for small gardens
Ben Connan	Early fruiting, large berries, mildew-resistant
Ben Lomond	Mid-season, traditional flavour, frost-hardy
Big Ben	Very large fruits, sweet taste, great for fresh eating
Ben Alder	Late-season, high yielding, ideal for juicing and wine

Tip: Choose a mix of early, mid, and late varieties to extend your harvesting season from late June to August.

When to Plant Blackcurrants in the UK

Plant Type	Best Planting Time
Bare root bushes	November to March (while dormant)
Container-grown	Any time, ideally autumn or spring

Avoid planting in frozen or waterlogged soil. Bare root bushes are cheaper and establish well during dormancy.

Where to Grow Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants prefer:

Moist, fertile, well-drained soil
Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0–6.5)
Full sun to partial shade
A sheltered location out of strong wind

They thrive in:

Garden borders
Fruit cages
Allotments
Raised beds or large containers (minimum 45cm deep)

Step-by-Step: How to Grow Blackcurrants in the UK

Step 1: Prepare the Soil

Before planting:

Remove all weeds and dig in well-rotted compost or manure
Ensure soil is moist but not waterlogged
For heavy soils, create raised beds or improve drainage with grit

Step 2: Planting Your Blackcurrant Bush

Planting Bare Root Bushes:

Soak roots in water for 1–2 hours before planting
Dig a hole twice the size of the root system
Plant 5cm deeper than the soil mark on the stem to encourage new shoots
Space bushes 1.5m apart
Backfill, firm gently, and water well

For Container Plants:

Remove from pot, tease out roots, and plant at the same depth as it was grown
Water thoroughly after planting

Step 3: Mulch and Feed

Mulch with compost, leaf mould, or straw after planting
Top up mulch annually in spring
Feed with a high potash fertiliser in early spring (e.g., sulphate of potash or organic fruit food)

Caring for Blackcurrant Bushes

1. Watering

Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry periods
Water deeply once or twice a week in summer
Avoid wetting the foliage to prevent mildew

2. Feeding

Feed in early spring with a balanced fertiliser (NPK 10-10-10 or organic equivalent)
Use high-potash feed in May–June to support fruit development

3. Weeding

Keep the base weed-free to reduce competition
Reapply mulch annually to help suppress weeds

Pruning Blackcurrants for Health and Yield

When to Prune:

Immediately after planting: Cut all stems to 2–3 buds above ground
Annually in late winter (Feb–March)

How to Prune:

Remove:
- Dead, damaged, or crossing branches
- Older stems (3+ years old) to encourage new growth
- Aim to keep a mix of 1, 2, and 3-year-old wood
- Maintain an open, goblet shape to improve airflow and reduce disease

Tip: Blackcurrants fruit best on 1-year-old wood—regular pruning is key to heavy cropping.

Training Blackcurrants as Cordons or Fans (Optional)

In smaller gardens or formal fruit areas, you can train blackcurrants:

Cordon system: Train a single stem vertically and prune side shoots
Fan system: Train multiple stems against a wall or trellis
Ideal for tight spaces or decorative growing

Growing Blackcurrants in Containers

You can grow blackcurrants successfully in pots!

Container Growing Tips:

Use a pot at least 45–50cm deep and wide
Fill with loam-based compost (e.g., John Innes No. 3)
Feed monthly with liquid fruit fertiliser in summer
Water consistently and mulch the surface
Repot or refresh soil every 2–3 years

Harvesting Blackcurrants

When to Harvest:

Late June to August, depending on the variety
Pick when berries are deeply coloured and plump
Some varieties ripen all at once, others over several weeks

How to Harvest:

Harvest entire strigs (clusters) for easier picking
Use scissors or gently pull from the base
Handle gently to avoid bruising

Using and Storing Blackcurrants

Storage Tips:

Keep fresh in the fridge for 3–5 days
Freeze in single layers, then bag for long-term use
Avoid washing before storing—wash just before use

How to Use Blackcurrants:

Classic blackcurrant jam or cordial
Tarts, crumbles, and cakes
Added to smoothies, porridge, or yogurt
Homemade cassis or blackcurrant wine

Common Blackcurrant Problems and Solutions

Issue	Symptoms	Solution
Big bud mite	Swollen, round buds that don’t open	Remove and destroy affected buds; grow resistant varieties
Aphids	Curling leaves, sticky residue	Spray with insecticidal soap or encourage ladybirds
Gooseberry mildew	White powder on leaves and fruit	Prune for airflow, remove affected parts
Birds	Pecked or missing fruit	Use netting during ripening
Leaf spot/rust	Spots or discolouration on foliage	Remove infected leaves, apply fungicide if needed

Propagating Blackcurrants

Blackcurrants are easy to propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn or winter.

How to Propagate:

Cut 20–30cm lengths of healthy 1-year-old stems
Remove leaves and side shoots
Insert into a trench or pot of compost, leaving a few buds above ground
Keep outdoors in a sheltered area
New plants will root by the following autumn

Companion Planting with Blackcurrants

Good Companions:

Garlic and chives – deter aphids and fungal diseases
Borage – attracts pollinators
Marigolds – repel pests like whitefly
Mint (in pots nearby) – deters certain insects

Avoid Growing Near:

Brassicas (e.g., cabbage) – they prefer different growing conditions
Other currants too close together – increases disease risk

Conclusion

Blackcurrants are one of the most rewarding soft fruits you can grow in a UK garden. With their bold flavour, robust health benefits, and heavy harvests, they deserve a permanent spot in any fruit patch or allotment.

Whether you’re planting bare-root canes or growing in containers, following this step-by-step guide will help you enjoy delicious homegrown blackcurrants year after year. Keep them fed, pruned, and protected from pests, and they’ll repay you with generous harvests for a decade or more.