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SeedStepsYour vegetable garden, one step at a time.My gardenCassis uit eigen tuin is intens; de groene rijpe Ojeblanc laat zien dat een zwartebesplant ook een lichtere oogst kan geven.
By Redactie MoestuinApp · updated
Home-grown blackcurrants have an intense flavour; the green, ripe Ojeblanc shows that a blackcurrant plant can also produce a lighter-coloured harvest.
Strong blackcurrant aroma with refreshing acidity; according to the grower, Ojeblanc is milder.
Bush with young wood: Plant in suitable soil. Retain strong shoots from the base. Remove old, weak wood gradually. Pick according to variety colour.
Compact variety in a pot: Choose a spacious pot with drainage. Plant a compact variety. Water during dry periods. Renew wood and check pot-bound roots.
Modern cultivars often ripen more evenly within each cluster. Ojeblanc stays green.
A berry corner can range from sharp red currants to mild white ones and pronounced blackcurrant flavour. Label cultivars when planting and make the bushes accessible for picking and maintenance. A row of bushes makes it easier to see which cultivar ripens early or later than a tangled mixed hedge. With limited space, choose the intended use first: eating straight from the bush, juice, jam or a combination.
Keep the base of the plant accessible for watering and weed control. A mulch layer can cover the soil, but leave the base of the bush clear. Prune with an understanding of the fruiting wood: blackcurrants are renewed differently from redcurrants and whitecurrants. Gooseberries also have their own bush structure. Do not cut all berry bushes into the same shape simply because they grow together.
Colour is a cultivar characteristic, not a universal ripeness test. A white or green selection will not eventually turn red or black. Compare a ripe berry for juiciness, firmness and aroma. A different balance may suit jam than fresh eating. When tasting, therefore, also note how you used the berry; a sour berry may provide exactly the fresh contrast you want in the kitchen.
Ben Connan: Compact; large cooking berries.
Big Ben: Compact; large fruit.
Checked on 2026-10-12. This guide was originally written using the listed sources. Growing advice from other countries is not a local weather forecast.