Jostaberry - Trenton Cottage
Jostaberry - Trenton Cottage
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Jostaberry

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Looking for something a little different for your edible garden? The Jostaberry (Ribes × nidigrolaria) is a game-changer — a vigorous, thornless hybrid of black currant and gooseberry that delivers generous crops of rich, tangy-sweet berries bursting with flavour. Use them in crumbles, sauces, jams, or even create a gourmet glaze for chicken, turkey, or fish. This upright, self-fertile shrub reaches up to 2 m tall and wide, thriving in cool, temperate, and arid climates. It loves a spot in full sun to part shade, appreciates shelter from strong wind, and benefits from a little afternoon protection in areas with intense summer heat. Easy to grow and long-lived, Jostaberry is a safe, thorn-free option for gardens with children or pets — and a must-have for anyone who loves homegrown fruit with a gourmet twist.

SKU: TCJOSTAB001 Category: Tags: ,

Description

Jostaberry (Ribes × nidigrolaria)

Jostaberry is a vigorous, thornless hybrid between black currant and gooseberry, combining the best in one low-maintenance, productive shrub. With care, plants can remain productive for 12–15 years. The dark berries are about the size of small gooseberries and offer a tangy-sweet, complex flavour — milder than black currants and less tart than gooseberries — perfect for jams, crumbles, sauces, or savoury condiments for white meat and fish.

This self-fertile, deciduous shrub has an upright, thornless habit, typically reaching 2 metres tall and 2 metres wide, making it safe to handle and ideal for home gardens. Their upright shape makes them suitable as a soft-fruiting border, informal hedge, or trained as an espalier along a fence or trellis. It grows strongly in its first year to establish structure and begins fruiting on two-year-old wood from the second year onward. In spring, clusters of small flowers appear along the canes, followed by purplish-black berries in summer, with some continuing into early autumn. Pick when berries are fully coloured and come away easily for the best flavour.

Jostaberries thrive in cool, temperate, and arid climates, particularly where a cold winter allows the plant to enter dormancy. Plant in full sun to light shade, with shelter from strong winds to protect young canes and developing fruit. In regions with intense heat, providing some afternoon shade can help prevent sunburn on leaves and fruit. They prefer rich, well-drained soil (pH 6–6.5), enriched with compost or aged manure. Jostaberries perform well in garden beds or raised beds with good drainage.

When to Plant
Plant bare-rooted Jostaberries in winter, while the plant is dormant. This gives the roots time to establish before spring growth begins.

How to Plant (Winter)

  1. Soak bare-rooted canes for 1–2 hours.
  2. Enrich the soil with compost and fertiliser. In arid/Mediterranean areas, add moisture-retentive material like coco coir or straw.
  3. Dig a wide hole (or mound in warmer areas), spread roots, and plant 5–10 cm deeper than the original mark.
  4. Water them in well and mulch around the base (5–10 cm away from stems).
  5. Space 2–3 m between plants; 2.5–3 m between rows.
  6. Prune to 10–30 cm above ground after planting. Use a lower cut (10–15 cm) in cooler climates or higher (20–30 cm) in arid regions to protect buds.

Mulching, Fertilising & Watering

Mulch:
Apply a 5–10 cm layer of straw, compost, or sugarcane mulch around the base in winter and spring, after pruning and feeding, to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Reapply in summer if needed, especially in warmer or drier regions. Keep mulch 5–10 cm away from the stems.

Fertiliser:
Feed with a general-purpose fertiliser in spring. Topdress with compost or aged manure. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers.

Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Like black currants, overwatering during ripening may cause skin splitting. Check the soil regularly and ensure good drainage. Water more in hot or dry weather; reduce in winter, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings.

Pruning

When to Prune:
Prune during winter dormancy. Late winter is ideal in cooler areas; pruning can begin earlier in mild or arid climates once dormancy is established.

Years 1–2:

  • After planting, cut to 10–30 cm above ground.
  • First winter: Keep 3–5 strong shoots, cut back by half. Remove weak or crowded growth.
  • Second winter: Retain 6–8 canes, cut back by one-quarter. Shorten side shoots to 3–4 buds.

Year 3 Onward:

  • Remove up to one-third of the oldest canes.
  • Retain new 1-year-old canes; don’t shorten them.
  • Shorten side shoots to 2–4 buds.
  • Remove damaged, low, or inward growth.
  • Remove suckers from the base or surrounding soil.

Late Summer (after fruiting):
Shorten leafy side shoots on main branches to five leaves to improve airflow and encourage bud development.

Tips:
Prune to an outward-facing bud for a bushy shape and good airflow. Use upward-facing buds when training vertically.

Harvest

Harvest from mid to late summer, with some fruiting into early autumn. Pick when berries are deep reddish-black or purplish-black and detach easily. The flavour is mildly sweet and tangy — less tart than gooseberries and softer than blackcurrants — becoming sweeter as they ripen. Jostaberries are great fresh, in sweet dishes, or reduced into savoury condiments for white meats and fish. Harvest in the morning and handle gently.

Pests & Diseases

Jostaberries are low-maintenance but may occasionally attract pests or fungi.

  • Disease Resistance:
    Naturally resistant to powdery mildew, rust, and leaf spot, but issues can occur in poor conditions.
  • Pests:
    Aphids and spider mites may appear in dry weather. Birds may feed on ripe berries — use wildlife-safe netting.
  • Prevention:
    Prune for airflow, avoid overhead watering, and remove any affected leaves. Keep plants well-spaced and the area clean.

Toxicity

Berries are edible, but leaves and other parts should not be consumed. Monitor children and pets around plants.

Supplied as a bare-rooted cane.

Additional information

Price Code

D – Purple Pack
Botanical Name

Ribes × nidigrolaria
Quantity in Pack

1 Cane
Harvest Time

Summer
Planting Time

Winter
Planting Depth

Plant 5–10 cm deeper than the original soil mark on the stem. This helps encourage new shoots to emerge from the base, supporting a stronger, more productive framework over time.
Planting Width

Allow 2–3 m between plants and 2.5–3 m between rows to accommodate their mature size, improve airflow, maximise sunlight, and make pruning and harvesting easier.
Soil

Jostaberries prefer rich, well-drained soil (pH 6–6.5), enriched with compost or aged manure.
How to Plant

Choose a spot in full sun to light shade, sheltered from strong winds. In hot regions, some afternoon shade helps prevent sunburn. Jostaberries grow well in raised beds, garden beds, or prepared lawn areas. For compacted or grassy sites, lay down cardboard, then layer with compost and mulch to create a planting area.

Before planting, enrich the soil with compost or well-rotted manure. In dry climates, add moisture-retentive material like coco coir or straw. Soak bare-rooted canes for 1–2 hours before planting and avoid exposing the roots to air. Dig a hole wide enough to comfortably spread out the roots — at least twice the width of the root system and deep enough to sit the plant 5–10 cm below its original soil line. In warmer regions, form a small mound inside the base of the hole and spread the roots over it to improve drainage beneath the crown. This helps prevent waterlogging and gives the roots room to establish evenly.

Water them in well, then mulch around the base, keeping it 5–10 cm from the stems. Space plants 2–3 m apart, with 2.5–3 m between rows. Prune to 10–30 cm above ground after planting — lower in cool climates (10–15 cm), higher in arid zones (20–30 cm) to protect buds.
Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Like black currants, overwatering during ripening may cause skin splitting. Check the soil regularly and ensure good drainage. Water more in hot or dry weather; reduce in winter, allowing the top layer to dry slightly between waterings.
Fertilise

Jostaberries benefit from regular feeding to maintain healthy growth and encourage strong fruit production. Apply a general-purpose fertiliser annually in early spring, just as new growth appears. This supports cane development and helps set the plant up for a productive season. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilisers, which can lead to excessive leaf growth and reduced fruit yield.

After fertilising, topdress the soil with compost or aged manure to improve structure, boost organic matter, and retain soil moisture. This is especially helpful in light or sandy soils.

If plants show signs of nutrient deficiency — such as pale or yellowing leaves, weak new growth, or poor fruiting — a second, light application of fertiliser in mid to late spring may be helpful. You can also use a liquid organic feed during the growing season if needed, though this is generally not required when annual feeding is in place.
Pruning

Jostaberries should be pruned in winter while the plant is dormant. In cooler climates, late winter is preferred to avoid frost damage to new shoots. In milder or arid regions, pruning can begin earlier once the plant has fully entered dormancy. Wait until all leaves have dropped and buds are tight and inactive — this ensures the plant is truly dormant and ready to be pruned. Winter pruning shapes the plant, encourages strong new growth, and helps maintain good airflow and productivity.

In the first year, after planting, cut stems down to 10–30 cm above ground level to promote strong base shoots.

After fruiting in late summer, shorten leafy side shoots on main branches to about five leaves. This improves airflow and encourages strong bud formation for next season’s crop.

In the first winter, select 3–5 healthy shoots that grew during the season and cut them back by half. Remove any weak, crowded, or poorly placed stems. In the second winter, retain 6–8 upright canes, cut back by one-quarter, and prune side shoots to 3–4 buds to form fruiting spurs.

From the third year onward, maintain the bush by removing up to one-third of the oldest canes at ground level each winter. Keep 1-year-old canes (which will fruit the following season) and do not shorten them. Most flower buds form on branches that are at least one year old, so avoid pruning too hard, as this can reduce cropping. Cut back side shoots to 2–4 buds, and remove any low, damaged, inward-growing, or suckering growth. If the plant is being trained, tie new canes loosely to supports. Remove runners if not needed, or replant them elsewhere.

When pruning, always cut to an outward-facing bud to maintain an open shape, or to an upward-facing bud when training canes vertically.
Harvest

Harvest from mid to late summer, with some fruit continuing into early autumn. Berries are ready when they turn a deep reddish-black to purplish-black and come away easily from the stem with a gentle tug. The flavour is mildly sweet and tangy — less tart than gooseberries and softer than blackcurrants — becoming sweeter and more complex as they fully ripen.

Pick in the cool of the morning for best flavour and texture, and handle gently to avoid bruising. Jostaberries are versatile: enjoy them fresh, use them in desserts, jams, and sauces, or reduce them into savoury condiments to accompany pork, poultry, or fish. For best quality, harvest every few days as berries ripen in stages. They store well in the fridge for a few days or can be frozen straight after picking to preserve flavour.

As berries begin to ripen, protect your crop with wildlife-safe netting to deter birds, especially in open gardens or rural areas. Make sure the netting is pulled taut to prevent birds from becoming tangled. Alternatively, you can build protective cages around your Jostaberries using mesh and a simple frame for a more permanent solution.
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