Regulated in some states
This plant is listed as a noxious or regulated weed in parts of the US, where it may be illegal to grow. Check your state and local regulations before planting it.
Black Currant
Ribes nigrum 'Ben Sarek'
fruitBen Sarek is the compact disease-resistant Scottish black currant with large flavorful aromatic berries beloved for jam, syrup, and the famous British blackcurrant cordial Ribena. The 3 to 4 ft bush is loaded with shiny black fruit in midsummer and resistant to American gooseberry mildew and moderately resistant to white pine blister rust (important because some US states regulate Ribes plantings; check before planting).
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Sun
partial shade
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Water
Every 3 days
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Harvest
~12 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
↔️
Spacing
4-5 ft in row, 8 ft between rows
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Planting Depth
Crown 1-2 in below original nursery soil line
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 7
When to Fertilize
Early spring before bud break
Fertilizer
Compost; 10-10-10 at 1 lb per bush if growth is weak
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade on well-drained fertile loam in zones 3 to 7. Black currants need at least 4 hours of direct sun for good fruit. Set crowns 4 to 5 ft apart with the crown 1 to 2 in below soil to encourage new shoots from the base. Mulch heavily with straw to keep roots cool. Ben Sarek is self-fertile. Prune in late winter to keep 6 to 8 main canes; cut out 3-year-old wood to renew the bush.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jul 9 · Year 2
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Garlic — Deters aphids and may suppress mildew
- Tansy — Repels currant sawfly and Japanese beetles
- Comfrey — Mineral-mining mulch keeps roots cool
- White Clover — Living ground cover fixes nitrogen
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Watch for tiny green caterpillars on leaf undersides in early summer; hand-pick or treat with Bt before defoliation
Ben Sarek is resistant; site for airflow and morning sun
Blast with water, encourage ladybugs
Check local regulations before planting Ribes; Ben Sarek is moderately resistant but some states ban black currants near pine plantations
🌾 Harvest & storage
Ben Sarek ripens in early to mid summer (late June through July). Pick when berries are uniformly black, slightly soft, and aromatic. Strip whole clusters by hand or with a special currant comb. The branches may need support during peak fruit load. Cassis liqueur, cordial, jam, and syrup are the classic uses; the strong flavor of black currant is unlike any other berry.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 63 calories per 100 g with 4.3 g fiber and an extraordinary 181 mg vitamin C (302 percent of DV) - more than 4 times the vitamin C in orange. Black currants also supply notable iron and the anthocyanin delphinidin, studied for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory effects.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.