Jostaberry

Jostaberry is a vigorous, thornless currant-gooseberry hybrid that prefers fertile, well-drained soil near pH 6.0-6.5. Use compost and moderate spring feeding, giving each bush ample room and gradually renewing crowded older branches.

Sun

Full sun

Water

Water deeply during establishment; adjust to rainfall and soil

Spacing

60 in

First harvest

2–3 years

Tips

• Check local Ribes restrictions and space nursery bushes roughly 5-6 feet apart.
• Water deeply through the establishment season and mulch to retain even soil moisture.
• Use soil-test-based spring fertilizer rather than high nitrogen rates that encourage excessive shoots.
• Let the framework develop in the first years, then remove old and crossing stems while watching for mildew and leaf-feeding larvae.
• Harvest when berries are dark purple-black and slightly soft, tasting a few before picking the crop.

Plant dormant bare-root bushes in early spring or container plants in spring or fall.