Why do you need supports for currants and how to make them yourself

A currant holder is a must-have gardening tool. With its help, it is easier to care for berry bushes; the fruits are less likely to be attacked by insect pests or diseases. The fence is made from improvised or special materials. In the article we will look in detail at how to improve currant bushes in the country and what ideas there are for creating a support with your own hands.

Why do you need supports for currants?

Support is needed for proper formation of the bush. Thanks to the support, the plant takes up less space on the site, and it is easier for gardeners to harvest. The shrub is more well-groomed; the branches do not fall down or sag under the weight of ripe fruits.

It is also easier for summer residents to work with the soil: water, fertilize, loosen and mulch. In winter, covering material is fixed to the fences, which protects the bushes from gusty winds and frosts.

If currants grow without supports, the branches lie on the ground, and the fruits come into contact with the ground, which causes diseases. If the ground is wet, the berries become covered with plaque, mold or rot. When caring for shrubs, you have to lift the shoots yourself with one hand - this is inconvenient.

Advantages and disadvantages

The supports are functional: they are safe for the plant, simplify harvesting and care, and promote ventilation of the root system. They are stable, lightweight, and easy to install.If the garden plot is decorated in a certain style, the supports serve as a decorative element.

Supports harm the plant only if the structure is tight and prevents the currants from developing. Also dangerous for currants are fences installed with technological violations, for example, weakly stable or with an excessive height.

How to make props with your own hands

Gardeners make supports for currants from wooden pegs, PVC pipes, branches or metal. To do this, prepare tools and take measurements.

From wooden pegs

Wood is a reliable, environmentally friendly and practical material; besides, in every household there are unnecessary boards.

The above-ground part of such a structure must be at least 50 cm. In order for the support to withstand winds, it is buried 40 cm. To make a support from wooden pegs, in addition to boards, you will need self-tapping screws, a screwdriver, and a hammer.

Manufacturing instructions:

1. Make a mark of 70-80 cm on a board or beam.
2. Cut 4 supports.
3. Drive them around the currant bush in the shape of a square.
4. Cut 4 thin boards from the timber.
5. Attach them using self-tapping screws to the supports.

From the branches

Branch supports are the simplest design. To make it, you need a narrow strip, 4 branches 75 cm long, self-tapping screws, a screwdriver and a hammer. Gardeners drive branches around the perimeter of the bush, then secure the planks to them with self-tapping screws on pegs. This procedure takes no more than an hour. However, supports made from branches are short-lived and last no more than one season.

Attention! From branches you can make a structure on two legs. This support looks like a bracket and supports only one part of the berry bush.

Made from PVC pipes

PVC pipes are more expensive compared to wooden pegs and branches, but such structures last a long time and are functional. The pipes consist of two layers of polyvinyl chloride, between which an aluminum pipe is placed. The supports do not break in the wind and hold any covering material. The outer layer of PVC pipes is not afraid of rain and snow and is resistant to rotting.

To make a support, you need a fiberglass pipe 4 m long, a wire with a diameter of 5 mm, a hammer and a knife.

Manufacturing process:

1. Cut the PVC pipe so that you get 4 supports 75 cm long.
2. Make through holes in each.
3. Place supports around the currants.
4. Pass the wire through the holes.
5. Use construction adhesive to secure parts.

Made of metal

Metal fencing is the most reliable and durable. They are not afraid of any weather conditions. The metal can support plants of any size and weight and is protected from corrosion.

The disadvantage is the complexity of manufacturing and heavy weight. To create the structure you will need a metal pipe and wire, as well as a hammer, grinder and pliers.

What to do:

1. 4 supports 75 cm long are cut from the pipe.
2. One through hole is made in each.
3. Drive supports around the perimeter of the plant.
4. Pull the metal wire through the holes and tighten firmly.
5. To protect against moisture, the holes are plugged with plugs.
6. Cover the support with protective paint - it will prevent corrosion.

From a metal rod

A metal rod is a thin rod. To make a support, it is bent in half around the tree to form an arc.

The rod is placed in the ground to a depth of 50 cm, and the rod should support the currant branches. The design is durable and easy to manufacture.

From lawn lamps

To create an original support, use non-working lawn lights. They are disassembled, the upper part of the lampshade is removed and installed around the perimeter of the bush. If the height of the lanterns is small, branches or wooden stakes are tied to them.

A cord or wire is attached to each support, on which currant branches are laid. The advantage of the support is that lawn lights, thanks to their sharp base, can be easily driven into the ground.

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Selection and purchase of ready-made bush holders

When choosing a ready-made bush holder, pay attention to the shape, size, and color. For young and compact bushes, round supports with 2-3 legs are suitable, for mature and branched plants - square ones with 4 supports. Wooden supports are attractive due to their low price, but they only last 1-2 years. The shelf life of metal ones is about 5 years, because after that they undergo corrosion and lose their appearance and functionality.

Plastic supports have no such restrictions - they are lightweight, affordable, and durable.

For berry bushes, it is better to buy collapsible bush holders than monolithic ones. In the first case, it is easier to choose the size and shape for a specific bush. In addition, the plant is constantly changing - it is impossible to predict what it will be like in 2-3 years. When purchasing, make sure that there are no cracks or scratches on the supports.

How to strengthen currants with supports yourself

Proper currant garter protects the plant from diseases and pests and makes it easier to care for the bush throughout the growing season.Tied fruits are better illuminated by sunlight and grow larger and more appetizing.

Tying up currants in the third year after planting. During this period, the height of the plant reaches 1.5 m, and the first harvest is formed on the shoots. There is no point in tying up the bush before.

Required materials and tools

Easy to use plastic clips or clothespins. They are sold at any gardening store and look similar to clothespins. They are inexpensive, take up little space, and are suitable for repeated use. However, they can only be used for attaching currants to thin supports.

For large and thick supports, special garter belts are used. They have fasteners. With their help, the belt can be easily tightened on structures of any diameter. These can be thin metal pipes or massive wooden stakes. Garden belts have been used for many years.

Possible schemes

In addition to tying a currant bush onto a single frame, gardeners use tying schemes for trellises, pipe supports, and a triangle:

1. A series of metal or wooden stakes 80 cm high are driven in near the currants. A wire or rope is hooked between them, and currant branches are tied to it. Garter on trellises is relevant for those who grows There are 5 or more bushes on the site, arranged in one row.
2. To tie currants to pipes, install 2, 3 or 4 pipes around the perimeter of the bush. This design is very similar to a single frame garter.
3. An equilateral triangle is built around the currant from 3 stakes. The plant is tied to each side using clothespins or belts.The triangle is an original way of gartering; it looks unusual, especially if you use multi-colored stakes instead of plain ones.

Advice from experienced gardeners

In order to properly fence currants and buy the necessary stands, experienced gardeners recommend first of all paying attention to the material of manufacture. Be sure to take into account the size and age of the bush. If there are several plants, buy a special structure that makes it easy to tie up 2 or more bushes.

Install the support at a depth of 50 cm so that it is stable. If the fence is metal, check it regularly for corrosion; if it is wooden, check it for mold and traces of rot. If such signs are detected, the fences are replaced with new ones.

Mistakes to Avoid

A common mistake is using strips of natural or synthetic fabrics for support. They pull the shoots and break them, so it is better to use special clothespins or belts.

Also, newbie gardeners think that they need to tie up currants 1-2 times. But this is not true: The plant is constantly developing, which means it needs to be tied up regularly as the shoots grow.

Attention! Do not pull the branches too tightly. This leads to the branches drying out and losing the entire harvest. It is impossible to restore such shoots.

Conclusion

Currant fences are made from polypropylene, wood, glass reinforcement, branches, and metal. Wood is an affordable and easy-to-process option, but cannot boast of reliability and durability. Metal is expensive, but will last on the site for at least 5 years. Plastic combines reasonable price, lightness, long service life and ease of assembly.

To understand how to tie up and fence currants, pay attention to the size of the bush. For garters, use special garden clothespins or belts.