Not all berries ripen at the same time
When the currant harvest begins, it also depends on which varieties you have in the garden planted to have:
- White currants
- Red currants
- Black currants
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- Planting white currants in the garden
The first red and white currants are ripe a little earlier than the black fruits from the end of June. Her Harvest time does not start until mid-July.
This is how you can recognize ripe currants
When the fruits have taken on a rich color and all the berries on a panicle are evenly colored red, yellow or black, the currants can be harvested.
The berries are full and not wrinkled. They give off a pleasant scent. When you touch the panicles, the currants fall into your hand almost by themselves.
If in doubt, do a taste test. If the red and white berries taste sweet with a slightly sour undertone, they are ripe. Black currants have a rather bitter taste.
The best time to pick
Pick the bushes two to three times a week. If the berries hang too long on the bush, they lose a lot of their aroma.
A sunny morning is best for picking when the bushes are dry. Damp or wet berries rot faster.
Currants are sensitive
Avoid squeezing the delicate berries while harvesting. It is better to cut or pluck the whole panicle.
Carefully place the harvested panicles in a basket and do not stack too many on top of each other.
Pressure points on the fruit lead to water loss and allow the berries to spoil more quickly. Currants keep longer on the panicles and can be stored in the refrigerator for a day kept will.
Tips & Tricks
Not only people, but also birds love the red currant varieties very much. So that you can harvest enough berries, you should stretch a net over the bushes by the beginning of June at the latest to keep the birds away. Special protection is not absolutely necessary for white and black currants.
