Ribes uva-crispa 'Hinnonmaki Green'

Spring · Outdoors

Apply an organic mulch

Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to reduce weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool in summer. Leave a 10cm gap between the stem and the mulch to prevent stem rot. Before applying mulch, clear the area of weeds and water if it hasn't rained recently. Use biodegradable material such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or bark chippings as mulch.

A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during dry periods

For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.

Summer · Planting

Protect fruit from birds

If the plant is not grown in a fruit cage, protect it with a net to prevent birds eating the fruit.

Winter - late · Planting

Prune soft fruit bushes

Prune lightly in first 3 years. After that prune to encourage new stems from the base. Remove one-quarter of the oldest, plus weak or rubbing stems and any touching the ground. Cut at base or just above a young strong shoot lower down the branch.

Applies to currants, gooseberries, blueberries and honeyberries

Winter - late · Planting

Prune cordon or fan-trained soft fruit

Reduce side shoots which branch off the main vertical stem by cutting above the second bud. This will encourage the "spurs" to fan out, maintaining the plant's shape.

Applies to currants, gooseberries and blueberries

Planting

Trees, shrubs and soft fruit in containers

Choose a pot with drainage holes, 2-3 times the volume of the existing pot. When roots appear at the drainage holes, pot on, increasing the size. Large plants need large pots. Keep soil moist but not wet, reduce watering in winter to prevent root rot.

Applies to any shrub or soft fruit and small trees deemed suitable for growing in a pot

Outdoor planting · Planting

Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole

Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.