How to Properly Feed Red Currants in Spring: Tips and Recipes

Red currant is a fragrant and vitamin-rich berry that can grow in one place for up to 15 years.

However, in order to get a generous harvest every year, you need to not only plant and care for the bushes correctly, but also feed them in a timely manner.

Fertilizing red currants in spring is one of the important stages of caring for berry bushes, which promotes active growth and development of the plant, the formation of a large number of ovaries and an improvement in the quality of berries, says Anastasia Kovrizhnykh .

How and what to feed red currants with in spring

Fertilizing red currants in spring can be done in different ways and with fertilizers, depending on the condition of the soil, the age of the bushes and weather conditions.

Here are some of the most common and effective options.

Complex mineral fertilizers

This is the simplest and most accessible method of feeding, which is suitable for most varieties of red currants.

For high-quality plant nutrition, various macro- and microelements are required, which are contained in complex fertilizers.

In spring, red currants can be fertilized with preparations such as azophoska, diammophoska, kemira, nitroammophoska or nitrophoska.

It is recommended to apply them at the end of April – beginning of May, when the first leaves appear.

The dosage depends on the specific preparation, but on average it is 20-30 g per 10 l of water. The solution is poured onto the soil under the bushes or sprayed onto the leaves.

Organic fertilizers

This is a more environmentally friendly and natural method of fertilizing, which enriches the soil with organic matter and beneficial bacteria.

Organic fertilizers also help increase plant resistance to diseases and pests.

To feed red currants in the spring, you can use humus, compost, slurry or a solution of bird droppings.

Humus or compost can be added under the bushes as a dry substance (5-6 kg per 1 sq. m) or dissolved in water (1:10) and watered. Liquid manure or bird droppings should be diluted in water (1:20 or 1:10, respectively) and also watered under the bushes.

Biological drugs

This is a modern and safe method of fertilizing, which is based on the action of living microorganisms that improve soil fertility, stimulate plant growth and development, and protect against diseases and stress.

To feed red currants in spring, you can use preparations such as Fitosporin-M, Zircon, Epin-Extra or Radipharm.

These preparations are diluted in water according to the instructions on the package and sprayed on the leaves or watered on the soil under the bushes.

After fertilizing, red currant bushes need to be watered well with clean water so that the fertilizers are better absorbed by the plants.

It is also necessary to monitor the air temperature: the optimal temperature for feeding is 15-20°C.

By feeding red currant bushes in the spring correctly and in a timely manner, you can achieve a bountiful and sweet harvest of this wonderful berry.

Earlier, the expert told how to prevent cabbage heads from cracking .