Growing Currants, Gooseberries, and Jostaberries in Ohio

Both gooseberries and currants belong to the genus Ribes. Jostaberries are the interspecies crosses of gooseberries and black currants. Ribes plants and fruits were extremely popular in the United States in the 1800s. In 1899, U.S. Ribes production was estimated to have reached 7,000 acres (Bratsch & Williams, 2009). In the early 1900s, white pine blister rust (WPBR) became a serious disease, threatening the lucrative timber business in the United States. Currants and gooseberries were implicated as the alternate hosts of WPBR. In an attempt to prevent the spread of WPBR, the federal government and state governments in the United States banned propagation, planting, and cultivation of currants and gooseberries in 1911. Different states had varying degrees of restrictions. Black currants had more restrictions than other Ribes plants. However, commercial Ribes production ended shortly after the federal ban.

Even though the federal ban on Ribes was lifted in 1966, there was little interest in growing Ribes. A few researchers have kept Ribes research programs operating in the United States and Canada. As consumer demand for nutritious local foods increases, a renewed interest in cultivating gooseberries and currants as a new fruit crop is growing due to their high vitamin and antioxidant content, and their many uses. Currants are tart and mostly used in North America for making jellies, relishes, and juices while gooseberries are used primarily in jams, jellies, pastries, and compotes (Barney & Hummer, 2006.). Bush-ripened gooseberries are so sweet and tasty they can be eaten out of hand as a table dessert.

Legality of Ribes Production in Ohio

The federal government lifted the propagation, planting, and cultivation ban on Ribes in 1966. Many states have also eased restrictions on Ribes production. In Ohio, the previous Ohio law (Ohio Admin. Code 901:5-43-01) to suppress and control white pine blister rust (WPBR) disease was reviewed on August 10, 2021, and rescinded on October 28, 2021, due to waning concern over the disease and a need to reduce regulations. As of January 2025, currants and gooseberries have no restrictions in Ohio. Given the low potential threat level of WPBR in Ohio, a future ban on growing Ribes (currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries) in the state is not likely.

Types of Ribes

The descriptions of currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries are adapted from Specialty Crop Profile: Ribes (Currants and Gooseberries) (Bratsch & Williams, 2009).

Most currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries are self-fruitful—one variety will set fruit on its own. Some black currants are not self-fruitful. Hence, it is beneficial to grow two or more cultivars of the same type to improve productivity.

It is important to note that currants bloom early when honeybees may not be active. Hence, bumblebees, hoverflies, and other insects will need to be active in the cultivation site to visit the Ribes flowers for pollen transfer and effective pollination.

Currants

Most cultivated currants are of European origin, though many native North American species exist (Bratsch & Williams, 2009). Currants can be red, white, pink, or black. Unlike gooseberries, currant plants do not have thorns. Their fruit are about pea-sized and grow in grape-like clusters called “strigs” that can be harvested in clusters. Some of the common currant species are Ribes rubrum (most red currants and some whites), R. petraeum (white), R. vulgare (pink, white, and red), and R. nigrum and R. ussurienses (black). The flavor of currants is tart. This is why currants are seldom eaten as fresh fruit. Black currants have a strong odor, which can be considered quite offensive by some. They also have an astringent flavor. Yet they are highly prized in Europe for juice products and their high nutrient content. Black currents have one of the highest vitamin C concentrations among fruits. Their vitamin C concentrations can be as high as 250 milligrams per one hundred grams of juice, even after 6 months of storage (Bratsch & Williams, 2009).

Gooseberries

Cultivated gooseberries are divided into two major types, European (Ribes grossularia var. uva-crispa), and American (R. hirtellum). European types are native to North Africa and the Caucasus Mountains of Eastern Europe and western Asia, while the American types are native to the northern United States and Canada (Bratsch & Williams, 2009).

Within the European types, fruit size varies widely, from pea sized to as large as a small egg. Color varies as well, with fruit maturing in shades of green, pink, red, purple, white, and yellow. This diversity is due to the historical popularity of the European gooseberry. Over the past two centuries, hundreds of cultivars have been developed, with a focus on prize-winning fruit size and color (Bratsch & Williams, 2009).

Native American gooseberry species have a small fruit size and less flavor. However, they are very resistant to diseases compared to European cultivars, which are noted for susceptivity to powdery mildew and leaf spots. These problems have limited the culture of most European types in the United States because they require significant fungicide treatment to ensure a consistent crop. Fortunately, disease resistance is improving through additional breeding with American types, and several new promising European cultivars have been introduced recently in the United States and Canada. These new cultivars have the potential to increase U.S. production and enhance the feasibility of low-spray or organic production. This is extremely important since registered pesticides are limited. In comparison, most known American cultivars in the trade have had some historical infusion of European genetics to improve size and flavor, which can be traced to a handful of breeding crosses made in the 1800s.

All gooseberry cultivars have varying degrees of thorniness. Fruits are produced in small groups or singly on stems and are picked individually. Specialized mechanical harvesters have been developed in Europe for both gooseberry and currant fruits. These harvesters are available in the United States. For small-scale production, hand harvesting still remains the most economical method of harvest but adds significant cost to production. Pick-your-own remains a popular method of fruit harvest and marketing.

Jostaberries

The jostaberry is an interspecies cross between gooseberries and black currants. Its fruits are larger than currants, are gooseberry-like, and are black in color. The stems are thornless. Fruit quality has not gained wide appeal for either fresh or processed use, but it has inspired renewed breeding efforts, with new and improved crosses being developed. It grows vigorously and is resistant to white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). Disease (powdery mildew) resistance is similar to that of the black currant parent.

Jostaberry fruits are about the size of a medium-sized table grape. They are sweeter than gooseberries and are very delightful to eat when fresh.

Cultivar Selection

Limited information is available on what are the best Ribes cultivars for Ohio. A research project on marketing and production of Ribes was initiated in late 2009. This project was funded by a 2009–2011 specialty crop block grant from the Ohio Department of Agriculture. A cultivar trial of currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries was established in 2010 at The Ohio State University South Centers in Piketon, Ohio.

A list of currants and gooseberries to be evaluated under Ohio growing conditions was developed in December 2009 and updated in January 2010. The black currant cultivars selected for this trial needed to be white-pine-blister-rust-resistant due to existing laws in Ohio. Only certain black currant cultivars were approved for shipping into Ohio then. They were Consort, Coronet, Crusader, Titania, Lowes Auslese, Polar, and Willoughby. Ohio has no legal restriction on white or red currants, gooseberries, or jostaberries.

Nineteen cultivars were selected for the trial. Among them were three black currants, two white currants, three red currants, ten gooseberries, and one jostaberry (crosses between black currants and gooseberries). Thirteen cultivars were planted in 2010 and the remaining six were planted in spring 2011. The Ribes plants were planted at The Ohio State University South Centers Research and Extension facility in Piketon, Ohio, and at several collaborators’ farms in Ohio.

Ribes plants were planted on raised beds that were amended with composts. Row and plant spacings were 10 by 5 feet. Twenty-five pounds of 19-19-19 fertilizer were applied as a broadcast per acre in May 2010 and May 2011. A small crop of currants and gooseberries was harvested in June 2011.

Cultivar Trial Results

Summary of results from 2011

It is important to note that yield differences are attributed to different cultivars and the years of planting. Growers and gardeners are encouraged to conduct their own cultivar trials before they commit to a large planting.

Results: Black currants were more productive than white and red. The most productive variety was Censort, which produced 2,929 pounds per acre. Titania produced 1,743 pounds per acre while Crusader producers 1,524 pound per acre. Since black currants are commonly used in making juice and wine, all three of these black currant cultivars have excellent potential for Ohio. Red and white currants were not as productive even though they were planted in the same year.

The yields for red and white currants remained low in 2012 and subsequent years. The lack of economically acceptable yields can be a major limiting factor for a successful commercial production of red and white currants.

Red George was the highest-yielding gooseberry in our trial and produced 1,390 pounds of fruit per acre. Captivator, Hinnomaki, and Pixwell produced much less than Red George. Invicta and Poorman hardly produced any fruit in 2011.

Site Selection

Ribes plants prefer a cool and partially shaded site. In cooler regions, full sun might be the best. A northern slope with protection from direct sun exposure is preferred. In home gardens, Ribes can be planted against the side of a building.

In hotter areas like southern Ohio, a partially shaded area might be preferred. In Piketon, Ohio, many of the Ribes plants in our trials had leaf spots since they were planted in full sun. Shade cloths can reduce sun exposure. More research on the use of shade cloth is needed to determine if and how much shading is ideal.

Sites with well-drained soils with a slightly acidic pH of 6.5 are recommended for Ribes plantings. Raised beds are an effective way to improve soil drainage. Mulch can be used to retain moisture and keep the weeds down.

Planting

Ribes plants can be purchased from mail-order nurseries or local garden centers. Dormant, well-rooted, virus-indexed plants are best planted when they are still dormant in early spring. The tops of the dormant plants can be cut back by about one-third. Broken or dead roots can be pruned off.

Actively growing plants in containers should be planted in spring. However, they can be planted with a good success rate anytime when the ground is not frozen or too wet. Three to five vertical cuts should be made to the root ball to avoid formation of circling roots.

Ribes plants can be planted 3 to 5 feet between plants and 8 to 10 feet between rows. Wider plant spacing is better for more fertile soils and more vigorous cultivars. Row spacing is typically set by the width of the available equipment.

Fertilization

Growers or gardeners should do a soil test to determine what their soil needs. In general, Ribes plants need to be fertilized each year in spring. A complete fertilizer with an analysis of 10-10-10 can be broadcasted at the soil surface at the rate one-quarter to one-half pound per plant. For optimum production, more accurate rate and timing of fertilization will need to be developed based on soil types, growing regions, Ribes types and varieties, and a few other factors.

Pest Problems of Currants and Gooseberries

Anthracnose was observed as a common problem on our Ribes plants while black-headed fall webworms were occasionally found on a few isolated plants. Based on a Cornell University fact sheet, anthracnose can be managed by destroying affected leaves and applying mulch after leaf drop.

Fall Webworm

Several black currant plants had nests of fall webworms. Two types of fall webworms live in Ohio. They are black- and red-headed fall webworms. The fall webworms found on our black currants were black-headed fall webworms. Though appearing very unsightly, this pest is not a major problem on currants. Physical removal of the nest is one effective control measure. The application of an insecticide also works well.

Harvest

Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries look and taste different when fully ripe. Taste is the best way to gauge the ripeness of gooseberries and jostaberries. Currants may be on the acidic side and can be harder to judge if they are ready by taste. Black currants are ripe when the fruits develop a deep, purple-black color. Red and pink currants are ripe when they develop their full color. White currants lose their green fruit color when ripe.

Pruning

Annual pruning is needed to keep currant, gooseberry, and jostaberry plants healthy and productive. The best time to prune them is March. It is important to remove weak and dead canes. Some canes in the center of the bushes can be removed to open up the canopy for better air movement, light penetration, and spray coverage, if fungicides and insecticides are used.

Gooseberry bushes may need to be thinned heavily since their branches are quite thorny. Otherwise, they will turn into a thorny thicket, making harvesting difficult.

Currant canes can be thinned out in March. One-fourth to one-third of the old canes can be removed annually for bigger fruit size and higher sugar content.

Summary

Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries can be a nice niche crop for Ohio fruit growers. Since they do not have as wide an appeal as blueberries and raspberries, concerted marketing efforts are critical to successfully sell these fruits. It is interesting to note that many recent European immigrants absolutely adore them. More adventurous people will also buy them to make gooseberry jams, jelly, piles or preserves, while others may make currant juice.

Acknowledgments

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for its support of Ribes work through a specialty crop block grant. We thank Dr. Maurus Brown, former small fruit extension specialist and associate professor at The Ohio State University South Centers, for applying and securing the specialty crop block grant that funded this project. We would like to thank the late Julie Strawser-Moose for her editorial help, graphic design, and web page development. Our sincere appreciation is extended to Wayne Lewis, Lynn Miller, and Al Welch for their assistance with this project. We express our gratitude to Marsha Amlin for keeping track of our project purchases and supplies. Last but not least, we thank Mr. Daniel Kinney, Chief of Plant Health Division, for his clarifications on the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s rules on currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries.

Additional Resources

• Potential for Ribes cultivation in North America
• Horticulture of Ribes

References

Barney, D. L., & Hummer, K. E. (2006). Currants, gooseberries, and jostaberries: A guide for growers, marketers, and researchers in North America. Experimental Agriculture, 42(04), 509–510.
doi: 10.1017/S0014479706334102

Bratsch, A., & Williams, J. (2009). Specialty crop profile: Ribes (currants and gooseberries). Virginia Cooperative Extension.
vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/items/c01c5e9c-2918-42f3-8af9-a3d84b8e636d