Mistakes in caring for currants and raspberries in spring: how to achieve a bountiful harvest

In order not to get lost in the huge number of tips on caring for currants and raspberries, it is easier to list those nuances that the bushes do not like and do not expect from the gardener.

There are several mistakes that prevent a decent harvest, although many summer residents spend a lot of time and effort caring for their plants.

Trimming cannot be ignored

Carrying out autumn pruning does not relieve you from this work in the spring. At the beginning of the new season, pay attention to 3 nuances:

• are there any swollen kidneys;
• the presence of broken branches after winter;
• "zero" shoots, bending downwards.

In the first case, we are talking about kidney mites. They cannot be defeated at this stage with chemicals and folk remedies. A closed kidney protects the pest from the adversities of the outside world. Therefore, summer residents manually get rid of uninvited "guests".

Broken shoots are carefully cut to the outer bud that faces outward from the bush.

"Zero" shoots that bend to the ground are affected by the glassworm larva. Such shoots look sickly and withered. They are cut off and burned.

Raspberries are carefully examined in the spring. If there are thickenings and growths on them, it means that the raspberry is affected by gall midge. Such shoots are cut off at the base and disposed of.

You can't leave last year's mulch

There are two good reasons to do this:

1. Old mulch holds in the cold, and it takes longer for the soil to warm up.

2. Such material is a “home” for pests that choose mulch for wintering.

After removing the old layer of mulch, the soil is carefully loosened. It is not necessary to do it very deeply, as this can damage the roots.

Do not use nitrogen fertilizers (ammonia form)

We are talking only about fertilizers in ammonia form. No one will argue that in spring plants need nitrogen.

But in ammonia form fertilizers are not suitable, because they do not work in cold soil. Raspberries and currants wake up after winter quite early, the soil has not yet warmed up by that time.

In cold weather, nitrate fertilizers are suitable, and these are saltpeters. For example, ammonium nitrate is suitable. At the first stage, nitrate nitrogen will work, and when the soil warms up, ammonia will also join in.

For raspberries, apply 30 g per 1 sq. m. Currants and gooseberries need less nitrogen - 15-20 ammonium nitrate per "square". Fertilizer is incorporated into the soil during loosening.

• Related news:
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• 6 April 2023

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