Moving the Currant Bushes at My Farm

December 13, 2018

Autumn chores continue around my Bedford, New York farm. If you’re thinking of moving any bushes or shrubs, late fall to early spring is the best time - when the plants are dormant.

Not long ago, my head gardener, Ryan McCallister, and I decided to make a few changes to the bed in front of my main greenhouse. The area was planted with a number currant bushes - black, white, pink and red. I wanted to move them to a different area and create another colorful and vibrant cutting garden in its place. This project took several days - the outdoor grounds crew worked hard to prepare the beds, rototill the soil and then carefully transplant each and every currant bush.

Here are some photos - enjoy.

: I am always looking for ways to improve the gardens around my farm. These garden beds are already established, and had been cleared of a few filbert trees and blackberry bushes. The first step was to amend the soil, adding a fresh layer of composted manure to what was already there.

: Chhewang spreads the compost evenly over the bed. I am so proud of the compost we make here at the farm – it is filled with so many great nutrients.

: These three long beds are now ready for planting. The two outer beds will be used for the currant bushes.

: If you follow this blog regularly, you know my currant bushes are very prolific. This photo was taken in June, when the currants were filled with fragrant, colorful fruits.

: I grow all the currant colors – black, white, pink and red. Black currants are the most nutrient-rich of the currants. They are high in vitamins A, C, B1, B5, B6, phyto-chemicals and antioxidants. White currants are the sweetest – sweet, and tart with floral undertones. Pink currants are most often harvested for jams, jellies, and pies. Red currants can range from deep red to pink and are best picked when they are firm and juicy.

: These currant bushes are very dependable and vigorous as growers. They all yield copious clusters of berries every summer.

: Ryan sprinkles fertilizer along the entire length of the beds. We use M-Roots with mycorrhizal fungi, which helps transplant survival and increases water and nutrient absorption.

: Then, Chhewang begins to rototill the soil. The machine is set to till the soil at about six to eight inches deep. Because everything was already removed from the beds, tilling this area goes quickly and nothing is caught in the machine’s tines.

: The best time to rototill is when the ground is moist, but not wet – the soil should still crumble when picked up. Also, pick a day with little or no wind, which could slow down the process.

: It looks great after a first pass with the rototiller. Chhewang will go over the area one more time.

: Here is Carlos raking the tilled soil, so it looks tidy.

: Here are the currants now – just bare branches. In gardening, the term “dormancy” refers to a perennial plant’s state of temporary metabolic inactivity or minimal activity. During this time, these bushes stop growing and conserve energy until spring.

: Carlos carefully removes the bushes one by one from this area.

: While Chhewang digs a hole for it in the new bed.

: These bushes have also been pruned. Currants need pruning so the plant forms evenly spaced branches that allow air and sunlight into the center, but are also nice and strong for fruit production.

: Chhewang and Carlos slowly place the bush into the hole, which should be twice the size of the root ball. A plant’s roots grow out more easily into loosened, enriched soil. It should also be planted to the same depth as it was in its previous home.

: Chhewang steps back and assesses its positioning – it should be straight from all angles.

: Once it is correctly placed, Carlos and Chhewang carefully backfill with soil and composted manure.

: I wanted the bushes planted in a zigzag pattern, to ensure each bush has ample room to grow. A well established currant bush can produce up to 10-pounds of berries per-year.

: Planting in a zigzag also gives the bed a more interesting look. Currants can grow well on sandy or heavy and loamy soil as long as their nutrient requirements are met. They prefer damp, fertile ground, but not waterlogged.

: The bushes are placed strategically along the bed, keeping in mind the size, and growth pattern of each one.

: I have so many healthy and productive currant bushes that a few were also transplanted near the blueberry patch and behind my vegetable greenhouse.

: This middle bed is earmarked for the gooseberry bushes which will be moved next from a bed outside the head house.

: Currants are well-loved in many other countries, and here in the US, they are slowly gaining popularity, especially because of the high antioxidant content. They are now more prevalent at local farms and home gardens. I think the currant bushes will thrive here, and produce many more fruits in the years to come.