Today's gray weather turned out to be heaven to plant black currant cuttings.

Since we've been planting trees (beech and apple) on the south field last year, I’ve been dreaming of a hedge like they used to have in west Belgium. Fields and pastures had no fence but green hedges that provide both shelter for birds and a sort of microclimate. It slowed down the wind and created shadows. The birds nested in them and acted as predators in residence for insects. Plus, it’s pretty to look at !

Although it’s not a hedge plant per se, black currant is said to be extremely easy to grow from cuttings. We’ve never tried before, but the bushes at home have spread crazy during the last 5 years. So, all in all, why not give it a go, since we have to prune the bushes anyway. Worst that can happen is that we have wasted two hours of our life, learning what not to do.

So here we are.

42 new cuttings in the ground (sometimes two in one spot), 60 cm apart (to give it a “hedge” feeling), with good soil around them. Let’s see what happens next!

Louise