Cultivation
Pre-plant preparation It is important that there is complete weed eradication for one season before planting. The use of herbicides for broadleaf weeds and grass is recommended. Additionally the soil should be tested for nematodes; fumigation may be recommended for areas with a significant presence of virus vector nematodes.
Growers should assess general fertility of planting site (e.g. nutrients, pH) to ensure the site meets the recommended planting conditions as outlined in the corresponding growers' guide (www.berrycrops.net). Manage crop requirements with annual soil sample indicating raspberries as the crop being tested (nobody will know the requirements for Ribes); Amend pH to 6 - 6.5.
Access to adequate irrigation and drainage are very important to consider before planting.
Pest controls - See BC Currant and gooseberry pest control guide or extension agents for approved controls
Weed control - Growers can use organic mulch (including sawdust and straw), heavy plastic with an organic mulch cover, or landscape fabric as means of suppressing weed growth. If chemical herbicides are to be used, check with Agriculture Extension people to ensure the use of registered and appropriate substances.
Pruning - annual pruning of old wood and shoots that are less than ~45 degrees to the ground is critical to crop management and machine harvest. Often if pruning of leaning shoots is neglected, the weight of the fruit they bear will bring them to the ground where the fruit will rot or be damaged. Pruning can be done by hand or mechanically.
Read more about this topic: Blackcurrant
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—J. Ellen Foster (1840–1910)
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—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)