Growing gooseberries & red/black currants in cordons vs bush?

Samuel1988

Rooter

Join Date: Mar 2013

Posts: 362
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#1

Growing gooseberries & red/black currants in cordons vs bush?

20-02-2014, 08:32 PM

Evening all,

Poundland are currently selling the above in bare root form for... �1 and I did get a few but I was wondering if it is worth investing in a few more but this decision relates to the following..

My aunty has planted 4 fruit trees in two different big patches and I would like to utilise the space between so I was thinking of using one patch as a 'forest' garden style fruit patch.

The other I am either going to do the same or I will try to grow the above in cordons just to see how it goes.

If I was to try growing it in cordons would it/could I fit in more plants as opposed to growing in bushes (thus I will be in poundland asap again)? Are yields increased?

How would I go about doing it?

Thanks for your help,

Samuel
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Paulieb

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Join Date: Apr 2011

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#2

22-02-2014, 05:59 AM

Firstly, what are the 4 fruit trees and how much space is between them? Also do you know what rootstocks they are and/or how big do you intend to grow them. They can sometimes be a bit deceiving with no leaves on at this time of year as to how much shadow they will cast.

You are correct that cordons take up less room and can be planted close together enabling more variety.

Blackcurrant pruning is different to red/white currant pruning and therefore I wouldn't bother try with blackcurrants, however red and white are okay and also gooseberries work well. If they're freestanding they'll need some sort of support in the form of a trellis or similar.

For 'how to' guide try the rhs website.

The more help a man has in his garden, the less it belongs to him.
William M. Davies
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