The Currant Summer

Success! Today I spoke with the Currant Company out of New York, and I think they will be the company that I purchase my currant bushes from. They have all of the varieties that I'm looking for (black, red, white, and pink), and it sounds like that their bushes are a bit further along than what I would be getting out of Oregon. Not only that, but they are cheaper.

I have discovered the reason why I was unsuccessful in last year's crop of bushes. The main reason is because I kept them inside, as far as I can see that is. In order for currant bushes to be successful, they need a certain amount of cold time a year, otherwise they don't build strong root systems, and ultimately aren't very healthy. Because I kept them in the house, they never received that “down time” since they were kept at a fairly constant temperature of 65 degrees or warmer. This year I will be planting them outside, so I hope for much success indeed.

As a closing note, here is some information (and it may just be a repeat of information I wrote about earlier, but I hope it provides some new insight into the power of these fruits) about Black currants as quoted from the Currant Company website: “Black Currants are the king of berries with more than twice the antioxidants of blueberries, 4 times the Vitamin C of oranges, more potassium than bananas, and a cache of iron, calcium, magnesium and manganese.”