March is the time when currants are preparing for active growth, and your task is to help them gain strength before flowering.
We will tell you how to care for the bush at this time and where to start.
Start with pruning. Take a pruning shear and remove all dry, broken and obviously diseased branches. Then get rid of shoots older than 4-5 years - they hardly bear fruit, but thicken the bush. Leave 10-15 strong branches of different ages.
Don't be afraid to cut boldly - currants love radical pruning and will produce new shoots.
The next step is pest control. Even if the bush looks healthy, aphids, bud mites, or powdery mildew spores can overwinter in the bark and buds.
The easiest way is to pour boiling water over the bush while the buds have not yet swollen. Do this carefully, from a distance of 50–60 cm, so as not to burn the plant.
An alternative is to spray with a solution of copper sulfate (100 g per 10 l of water) or Bordeaux mixture.
Now for the top dressing. Currants need nitrogen in March, but don’t overdo it — excess will cause greenery to grow at the expense of berries. Sprinkle 2–3 handfuls of urea under the bush or water with a solution of chicken manure (1:15).
After a week, add ash (a glass per bush) - it will enrich the soil with potassium and phosphorus, and at the same time reduce acidity.
Don't forget about loosening. Currant roots are close to the surface, so work with a rake or hoe carefully, to a depth of no more than 5-7 cm. This will improve oxygen access and destroy weeds.
After loosening, mulch the tree trunk circle with compost or humus - this will serve as both fertilizer and protection against drying out.
And the last piece of advice: if the bush grows in the shade, think about replanting. Currants love the sun, and even partial shade reduces the yield.
But if it is too late to replant, install reflective screens made of foil or white fabric around the bush - this will add lighting.
