When to plant Redcurrants in the UK

Ribes rubrum

Redcurrant
Redcurrant · Ribes rubrum

A hardy fruit bush for a sunny or lightly shaded spot in the UK. Plant bare-root bushes while dormant. Keep the soil evenly moist. Mulch each year. The first crop comes after they settle.

150 cm · Full Sun · Moderate Water

Add to garden
Plant out November to February, harvest June to August.
ActivityJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Plant outYesYesNoNoNoNoNoNoNoNoYesYes
HarvestNoNoNoNoNoYesYesYesNoNoNoNo

UK averages · set your town for dates worked out from your local frost records · how dates are worked out

Growing guide

What to do through the growing season

Dates for your town

Set your town to see planting windows worked out from local frost history, not a generic UK calendar.

  1. 01

    Plant Bare-root Bushes

    mid-November to early February UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Plant bare-root bushes around mid-November to early February in well-prepared soil. Only plant if the ground is open, not frozen or wet. Set the bush at the same depth it was growing before. After planting, start the goblet. Shorten the stems to about . Firm in. Water in well.

    • Hardwood cuttings are a separate route.
    • Cover flowers overnight if frost is due.

  2. 02

    Water

    mid-May to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    From mid-May to late August, water well for the first two years, then in dry spells while the fruit swells. Do this each year. Do not leave the ground sodden.

  3. 03

    Mulch and Feed

    early March to early April UK average · set your town for your exact dates Optional · repeat every 365 days

    Around early March to early April, mulch with well-rotted manure or compost. Leave a gap around the stems. Do this once a year. Feed only if growth is weak.

  4. 04

    Protect from Birds

    mid-June to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Put netting over from mid-June, when the fruit starts to colour. Keep it on through last pick, to late August. Keep it taut and clear of the branches.

  5. 05

    Harvest Berries

    late June to late August UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Pick whole strigs from late June to late August once the berries are fully coloured, firm, and juicy. Use a shallow container.

  6. 06

    Winter Prune

    early February to early March UK average · set your town for your exact dates

    Prune around early February to early March, while the bush is dormant. Keep an open goblet of up to ten branches. Shorten laterals to one or two buds. Take out a couple of the oldest stems at the base.

    • Summer prune on cordons is a separate job.

Suggested varieties

Popular varieties of Redcurrant to consider

Rovada

A widely grown late redcurrant with long trusses and good flavour. It is a dependable choice for home gardens and crops well in a sunny, sheltered spot.

Jonkheer van Tets

An early redcurrant with long, bright red trusses. It is a good garden variety where you want an earlier harvest.

Red Lake

A strong-growing redcurrant with reliable crops and good-sized berries. It suits the UK climate well and is often grown in gardens as a general-purpose variety.