Currant nutrition plays an important role in the cultivation of berry shrubs. Fertilizer must be applied correctly and at a certain time. The most favorable time is autumn, when the fruiting period ends.
The value of autumn nutrition
In autumn, after active fruiting, currants are very vulnerable. The roots of the plant are shallow underground, so the amount of available trace elements quickly ends. She needs to accumulate strength for the winter, in the spring to be immune to diseases and pests, and go into active growth.
When feeding, it is important to consider the biorhythms of the bush and its autumn needs.
Biorhythms of berry bushes in the fall
After the production of the crop, the currant bush gives all its strength and juices to the formation of young fruit buds. Thus, the plant takes care of future fruiting. In this period, depletion can lead to the absence of berries for the next year and even to the death of the entire shrub.
The more nutrients the currant accumulates by the winter, the more favorable it will be.
Autumn needs of currant
When caring for currants in the autumn, potash and phosphorus fertilizers are used. Such minerals, getting to the plant make it frost-resistant, and in the spring give an impetus to growth.
In the fall do not use nitrogen fertilizers. They contribute to the formation of new shoots, activating the metabolic processes of the plant, which makes it impossible to thicken the branches of the main mass of shrubs. This means that in the near frost the plant will die.
Dates of autumn feeding
Fertilization in the autumn is carried out in several stages:
- The first meal is carried out immediately after the end of the fruiting period, in September.
- The next top dressing is made a month before the arrival of winter, in late October and early December.
- In December, during the third procedure, manure or compost is introduced. This is explained by the fact that nitrogen has already weathered from it, and for the decomposition of the remaining mass into trace elements, time and vital activity of soil bacteria are needed.
When making autumn nutrition, it is worthwhile loosening the soil. It should be shallow so as not to damage the roots of the bush.
When dry autumn, fertilizer should be applied together with watering, so as not to cause burns to the root system of the currant.
How to fertilize currants in autumn
In order not to harm the bushes and prevent their death, top dressing is carried out optimally in terms of and with the fertilizers that they need at the moment. All components are diluted with water strictly according to the instructions.
Organics
Organic fertilizers significantly improve the condition of the soil, which means they are very useful for currants. These top dressings include:
- Manure. Use already rotted, so as not to burn the roots of plants. Slowly dissolving in the soil, it saturates currants with minerals. This effect can last up to 6 years. Mullein retains moisture in the soil and activates photosynthesis, saturating the roots with carbon dioxide. To feed manure, dilute with water in a ratio of 1: 4. For one shrub, the optimal amount of fertilizer is 10 liters. Also distribute the mullein under the roots of currants, and sprinkle with earth on top so that useful properties are not lost.
- Bird droppings. Most often, chicken manure is used because of its availability. When wet feeding shrubs, it is diluted with water in a proportion of 1:12. This type of organic matter is also introduced during a semi-bayon digging of the soil. The bush takes about 1 kg of litter, which is thoroughly mixed with soil. After a month, fertilize the soil by scattering the droppings not under the bush itself, but at a distance of 25-30 cm from it. This is due to the high concentration of nitrogen in the feed.
- Compost. It begins to disintegrate into nutrients 2-4 months after application, so they mulch the soil with humus in November.
- Wood ash. Easily absorbed by the currant root system. The composition of the elements in this fertilizer is determined by the type of wood from which it is obtained. So, in the ash from the needles there is an abundance of phosphorus, in deciduous trees - a wealth of potassium, and peat ash - a source of calcium. Such organic matter is introduced along with humus and peat. For the root method of fertilizer use a mixture of manure and ash, diluted with water in a ratio of 1: 2. It is insisted for 5-7 days, stirring daily. Ash makes the soil loose, light, “breathing”. This effect lasts 2-4 years.
- Potato peelings. They are considered the best fertilizer for currants, as they contain potassium and starch in high concentration. This increases the chances of a rich future crop. Potato peel can be used as fertilizer in various ways:
- make fresh or dried cleanings similarly with humus, sprinkle or drip under each shrub;
- infuse from potato peel pour currants or sprinkle its ground part;
- concentrated infusion is made from fresh or dry potato peelings. To do this, fill them with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 2. Let it brew for 3-5 days. Stir the mixture occasionally to release starch and micronutrients more efficiently;
- It is advisable to feed currants with the help of potato infusion in early autumn, pouring 5-7 liters of liquid under each bush.
- Siderata. Sow alfalfa or peas near the bushes. There will be less weeds, and more nutrients in the soil. In the autumn, dig up the bed, and on top lay the cut grass under the currant. This will be an additional protection of the root system from frost, and after digging the soil - an excellent fertilizer rich in phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen.
The gardener shares his experience in feeding currants with potato peelings:
Mineral fertilizers
It is difficult to do without mineral fertilizers, because they contain a high amount of nutrients. Depending on the composition, they are simple and complex. Choosing the right drug and strictly observing the proportions, you can qualitatively feed currants.
Mineral fertilizers can harm plants if they are dissolved in violation of the instructions and applied regardless of the nutritional composition of the soil.
The chemical industry produces nitrogen, potash and phosphoric mineral fertilizers. So:
- Nitrogen fertilizers. They come to the rescue in the spring, when currants need to actively grow and develop. Common top dressings of this species are nitrate and urea. Ammophos, nitroammophos, calcium sulfur, sodium nitrate, etc. are produced on their basis.
Nitrogen fertilizers are considered the most dangerous. If they are abused, plant burns and the accumulation of nitrates in berries are possible. The application rate for currants is considered to be 15-20 g per 1 sq. m of land. To top up the fertilizer rate, dissolve in 10 liters of water and pour over the bushes. In the autumn period, they are applied only at the end of August and the beginning of September. - Phosphoric mineral fertilizers. Phosphorus helps plant cells to accumulate and retain moisture, which is important during droughts and in the frosty winter. With a lack of this element, shrubs cannot absorb nitrogen, but an excess of phosphorus also prevents the flow of copper, zinc and nitrogen.
Fertilizers in their composition contain 20% phosphoric anhydride. Superphosphate is considered the best. At a dose not exceeding the norm, he practically does not acidify the soil. They are fed shrubs in the development phase only with moist soil.
Another type of phosphate fertilizer is phosphate rock. It actively enhances the immunity of shrubs to diseases and pests. - Potash mineral fertilizers. It is customary to use during the period of digging up the soil so that the chlorine has time to wash and not accumulate in the tissues. Often use potassium sulfate 25-30 g / sq. m and potassium sulfate. For currants, with a deficiency of potassium, potassium salt is especially useful. It is used both in autumn and spring at a rate of 150-200 g / sq. m
How to make mineral fertilizers under the currant bush is described in the video below:
Complex fertilizers
Such top dressings contain the entire complex of mineral fertilizers. They are very convenient for beginner gardeners - no need to measure the doses of the individual components, mixing with each other.
Complex fertilizers are spring and autumn, so when buying, pay attention to the packaging and seasonality of their use. Potash and phosphorus fertilizers are suitable for feeding shrubs through the leaves. To do this, dilute the mixture and spray the plants. At the same time, root dressing can be used.
In autumn, the Autumn Complex is also suitable for feeding currants. Dilute it with water, according to the instructions, and water the bushes. An effective composition quickly penetrates the roots and nourishes the plants. The only negative of complex fertilizers is the high price. But a plentiful harvest of sweet berries on a healthy bush of currant pays for it doubly.
Nutrition before the winter is an important and responsible event. Knowing the schedule of application and the composition of the necessary fertilizers, all worries about currants will become pleasant troubles in the life of a gardener. And the bushes next year will gratefully respond with abundant fruiting.