Redcurrant Jonkheer van Tets: How to Get the Best from Your Fruit Bushes
Ribes rubrum
Position
- Requires a sunny or lightly shaded position for optimal growth and fruit production
- Shelter from strong winds and late frosts to protect delicate spring flowers
Hardiness
- Hardy down to -20°C (-4°F)
Soil Type
- Grows best in fertile, moist but well-drained soil
- Incorporate organic matter like compost or manure for improved fruiting potential
Soil PH
- Suitable for slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6.0–7.0)
- Can tolerate mildly alkaline conditions with good management
Height
- Reaches a height of 1.5–2 metres (4.9–6.5 feet) with a similar spread
Seasons of Interest
- Flowering Times: Produces small greenish-white flowers in April to May
- Foliage Features: Vibrant green, lobed leaves; no variegation but can develop subtle autumn tints
- Fruiting Period: Early ripening; bright red berries appear in early July, perfect for refreshing summer harvests
Additional Notes
- Regular pruning is essential in late winter to remove weak growth and encourage fruiting wood
- Early ripening makes it ideal for extending your currant harvest season
- Net growing bushes during fruiting to protect from bird damage
- Thrives as a traditional bush or can be trained as a cordon for space-saving gardens
- Ideal for jams, jellies, or fresh eating, with a tangy, refreshing flavour
Redcurrant Jonkheer van Tets: A Complete Growing Guide
Redcurrant ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ often referred to as ‘JVT’ (Ribes rubrum) is a popular and highly productive variety known for its early ripening fruit, making it one of the earliest varieties to ripen. With its impressive yields of large, sweet-tasting red berries, this versatile fruit is perfect for summer puddings, pies, and jelly. If you want to grow well in your garden and enjoy a heavy crop of delicious berries, this guide will take you through everything you need to know about growing, caring for, and harvesting redcurrant bushes.
Why Grow Redcurrant 'Jonkheer van Tets'?
- Early ripening: Harvest from early summer, typically in June and July.
- High yield: Produces heavy crops of large, juicy berries.
- Versatile in the kitchen: Perfect for adding to puddings, pies, and jelly.
- Hardy plant: Thrives in various conditions and tolerates cold winds.
- Award-winning: Holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM), meaning it’s a reliable performer.
How to Grow Redcurrant 'Jonkheer van Tets'
Choosing the Right Spot
Redcurrant bushes thrive in full sun but can tolerate semi-shade. To get the best yield, plant them in a location protected from cold winds. They can be trained against a north wall or grown as a bush in an open space.
Soil Preparation
Redcurrant plants grow well in fertile soil with a neutral to acid pH. Ensure the soil is well-drained and enriched with well-rotted manure or compost prior to planting. A mulch of well-rotted organic matter around the bushes helps retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Planting Redcurrant Bushes
- Spacing: Keep a distance of 1.5m between plants to allow for good air circulation.
- Depth: Plant at a depth of 5cm deeper than they were in their nursery pots.
- Timing: The best time to plant is in late autumn or early spring, avoiding frosty periods.
- Watering: Keep the soil moist, especially during dry spells.
Caring for Your Redcurrant Bushes
Feeding and Mulching
Feed your redcurrant bushes in early spring with a balanced fertiliser to encourage growth. Apply a mulch of well-rotted manure or bark around the base of the bush to keep the soil fertile and moisture-retentive.
Pruning for Better Yields
Pruning redcurrants is essential for maintaining a productive bush. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead or old wood. Keep the centre of the bush open to allow good air circulation. Cut back new growth on main stems to encourage fruiting.
Protecting Your Crop
Preventing Pests and Diseases
Redcurrants are relatively hardy, but they can suffer from pests like birds, aphids, and sawfly larvae. Netting can protect the currants from birds, while regular checks and organic sprays help keep aphids at bay.
Frost Protection
While ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ is a hardy plant, late spring frosts can damage young buds. Cover the bushes with fleece on particularly cold nights to protect developing fruit.
Harvesting and Using Redcurrants
When and How to Harvest
Redcurrants are ready for picking from early July, depending on the weather. They ripen in clusters, making them easy to harvest by cutting whole trusses with scissors.
Best Ways to Use Redcurrants
- Fresh: Eat straight from the bush for a burst of sweet-tart flavour.
- Jams and Jellies: The fruit is perfect for making redcurrant jelly.
- Baking: Add to summer puddings, pies, and tarts for a delicious twist.
Key Points to Remember:
- Plant in full sun or partial shade, in well-drained soil
- Space bushes at a distance of 1.5m for healthy growth
- Apply a mulch of well-rotted manure to retain moisture
- Prune old wood in winter for better fruit production
- Protect the currants from birds with netting
- Harvest from early summer, around June and July
- Enjoy redcurrants fresh, in pies and jelly, or preserved
By following these simple steps, your Redcurrant ‘Jonkheer van Tets’ will provide heavy crops of large, delicious fruit year after year. Whether you grow redcurrant bushes for fresh eating or for use in summer puddings, this modern Dutch redcurrant variety is a fantastic addition to any kitchen garden.
To see the RHS article please click here
For more information on Fruit for your garden please click here
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant?
A: The Jonkheer van Tets is a popular variety of redcurrant (Ribes rubrum) known for its sweet, tangy red fruits. It’s a fantastic choice for home gardens, especially if you’re into growing soft fruit!
Q: What type of soil does the Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant prefer?
A: This variety thrives in well-drained soil. It’s important to ensure the soil is not waterlogged, as redcurrant plants like the Jonkheer van Tets can suffer in overly wet conditions.
Q: How much sunlight do Jonkheer van Tets redcurrants need?
A: These redcurrant bushes prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade. If you’re in a particularly hot climate, some afternoon shade can do wonders for their health!
Q: How tall do Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant bushes grow?
A: Typically, Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant bushes can reach heights of about 1.2m. This makes them a manageable size for most gardens!
Q: Can I plant Jonkheer van Tets redcurrants in pots?
A: Absolutely! Just make sure to use a pot with good drainage and provide well-drained soil. They can thrive in containers if given the right care.
Q: How do I care for my Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant plants?
A: Regular watering, especially in dry spells, and ensuring the plants are grown in well-drained soil will keep them happy. Prune them to promote air circulation and remove any dead wood for best results!
Q: Are redcurrant bushes like Jonkheer van Tets self-pollinating?
A: Yes, Jonkheer van Tets redcurrants are self-pollinating, which means you don’t need multiple plants for fruit production. Just one bush can produce a good crop of delicious red fruits!
Q: Where can I find redcurrant bushes for sale?
A: You can find redcurrant bushes for sale at local garden centres or online nurseries. Look for the Jonkheer van Tets variety to enjoy a reliable, early-cropping redcurrant in your garden.
Q: What is the RHS AGM, and does Jonkheer van Tets have it?
A: The RHS AGM stands for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. Yes, the Jonkheer van Tets redcurrant is rated very highly and has received this prestigious award!
Q: How often should I feed my Jonkheer van Tets redcurrants?
A: A light application of well-rotted compost or a balanced feed in early spring should do the trick. Just avoid overfeeding, as it can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of fruit!