Can currants be planted next to an apple tree?
Before planting any crop, the gardener needs to find out about the compatibility of plants with each other. This is especially important for fruit and berry crops, and the rules of the neighborhood between them must be observed in order to get a good harvest. If you plant antagonist plants nearby, then this will not only negatively affect the yield, but can also destroy both crops. Currants and apple trees are neutral neighbors, the optimal combination of shrub and tree. They do not have a strong influence on each other and on the yield.
The virtues of the neighborhood
Both currants and an apple tree are planted on the site for many years. They get along well together. Their compatibility can be assessed on a 4 to 5-point scale. Plants do not interfere with each other, provided that the distance between them is maintained.
The apple tree is able to get along well with many shrubs, the tree does not require a lot of space and special soil. And the phytoncides secreted by currants scare away pests not only from the bush itself, but also from neighbors. Currants are highly reactive, while the apple tree has a similar chemical composition, so they do not affect each other.
Black currants get along better with an apple tree, it feels good in the shade of an apple tree. This does not affect the yield. In shaded areas, currant berries become larger, but more acidic.
The tree protects the shrub from the wind, currants do not like drafts. Both plants prefer acidic to moderately acidic soil, so the same fertilizers are suitable for them. Top dressing is very important for fruit and berry crops to obtain a high yield. Complex mineral compositions are suitable as fertilizers.
Plants are susceptible to various diseases and suffer from various pests. They are not worried about parasites and infections of neighbors. If the shrub is sick with something or pests have appeared, then, most likely, they will not affect the apple tree.
Disadvantages of joint planting
The apple tree has a very spreading root system, it takes a lot of nutrients and moisture from the soil. This can negatively affect the currants, especially the red ones. The red variety does not tolerate a lack of moisture, its yield decreases. Also, red currants love light areas; in the shade of an adult apple tree, they may suffer from a lack of sunlight. The lack of nutrients in the soil for currants must be compensated for by feeding and mulching.
Another disadvantage of the proximity of currants and apple trees may be the need to treat the tree with insecticides during the fruit set.
Such chemical treatment can negatively affect the shrub. It may happen that it is necessary to process the apple tree, and the berries are already ripening on the currants. Processing the apple tree becomes impossible, otherwise you can lose the harvest of useful berries. Therefore, you need to carefully select the varieties of neighboring crops. It is better to choose varieties with close ripening times.
If the shrub is planted close to the trunk of the apple tree, directly under the branches, then the falling crop can damage the young shoots of the currant. Consider this when landing.
How to plant correctly?
When planting currants next to an apple tree, consider the size of the root systems. If the apple tree is adult and large, then it is better to plant the currant bush outside the crown projection so that the root systems of the plants do not interfere with each other. Black currants can be planted a little closer to the trunk, they are shade-tolerant.Just keep in mind that black currant grows quickly and strongly, there should be enough space for it.
It is better to plant red currants from the south side and do not go beyond the projection of the apple tree crown. Red varieties love sunlight.
You can plant currants next to the apple tree if it is a young apple tree or a dwarf variety. Then the tree will not block the sun's rays. If there is a possibility and enough space on the site, then it is better to plant shrubs at a distance of 2-2.5 m from the apple tree and other fruit trees. They don't have to compete for moisture, light and nutrients.
When choosing varieties for planting, also take into account the peculiarities of the root systems of both crops. It is advisable that they are not at the same depth, otherwise they will compete and suppress each other's growth. Both the currant and the apple tree have powerful roots; during the period of fruit formation, they require a lot of nutrients.
A mature apple tree can pick up all the nutrients it needs from the soil. Therefore, with insufficient fertile soil, it is better to opt for dwarf apple varieties.
It is good to plant several shrubs nearby, at a distance of 1-1.5 m from each other. Then they bear fruit better and get sick less. In no case do not plant black and red currants next to them, they do not get along and may die. Only bushes of the same type can be planted together.
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