buffalo currant

Buffalo currant (Ribes aureum) requires an average watering schedule. In the spring and summer months, the plant should be watered about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. In the fall and winter, water every 2-3 weeks, again allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Make sure the soil is well draining to avoid the plant sitting in water for too long. In the summertime, if it is unusually hot, the plant may need to be watered twice a week. When watering, give the plant enough water to moisten the soil to a depth of around 8-10 inches.

Buffalo currant typically needs around 6 hours of direct sunlight and 6 hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day for optimum growth and health. During summer months, when temperatures are hotter, the sun can be too intense for the shrub and it could potentially benefit from partial shade. In the cooler months, however, the extra hours of sun can help extend the shrub's growing season and promote additional growth. When grown in warmer climates, such as USDA Hardiness Zones 6 and 7, the shrub needs full sun all day long. In milder climates that dip down to Zone 4, it may be beneficial to provide more shade to protect the fragile buds. But in any climate, it is important to provide some kind of protection from the wind, which can cause Buffalo currant to dry out quickly.

Buffalo currant should be pruned in early spring, after the threat of frost has passed. Prune it back to remove dead, damaged, or crossed branches, and thin out dense, thick branches to open up the canopy and let in more light. The best time for major pruning or renovation should be when plants are dormant, usually between the end of Fall and the beginning of spring. Pruning should be light, however; remove no more than 1-third of the current season’s growth.