CenterCenter forfor CropCrop DiversificationDiversification CropCrop ProfileProfile CCD-CP-138CCD-CP-6

GooseberriesGinger and &Turmeric Currants CherylMatt Ernst Kaiser1 and1 and Kristi Matt Durbin Ernst22 IntroductionIntroduction GingerGooseberries (Zingiber and currants officinale ( Roscoe spp.)) and are turmeric woody, (multi-stemmedCurcuma longa shrubs) both besthave known a long forhistory their oftart use . in Asian,While Africansome enjoy and Caribbeaneating them cuisines. fresh, Freshthese gingerfruit are is availableespecially year-round prized for inuse the in U.S. making and jellies,Canada jams, from pies,pro- duceand sauces. wholesalers sourcing from global suppliers, and both are widely available in their dried, ground form thatMarketing is produced from their underground rhizomes. Gooseberries and currants are marketed fresh, pre- Theserved U.S. (frozen ginger and crop canned) is mainly and grown in value-added in Hawaii. food Re- cently,items, likesome fruit U.S. preserves vegetable and and baked greenhouse goods. growersMarket- haveplace added options ginger include and farmers turmeric markets, as high-value on-farm special stands- tyand crops other to meetdirect consumer markets. demandsUpscale foror locally“white growntable- Gooseberries ingredients.cloth” restaurants Producers that makein the their northeast own sauces have successand des-- fullyserts mayproduced also beginger a market in high possibility tunnels, for and gooseberries experience Producers should estimate both local production and withand currants.ginger and Gooseberries turmeric production and currants (through can diversifythe 2018 demand before investing in producing and marketing season)the product indicates mix atboth a farmers crops may market, be adaptable roadside to stand, high gooseberries and currants. Preserving the for tunneland CSA production (community in Kentucky. supported agriculture). Provid- sale during the off-season may also be a way of di- ing consumer education through suggested uses, reci- BversifyingaBy ginger a grower’s offerings and spreading the risk Marketingpes, and other “point-of-purchase” materials may help atof groceryproduction stores. for Turmeric a new crop producers across should different also target pro- Kentuckyproducers producersdevelop a morehave steadyfocused market on selling for gooseber directly- videmarkets. use guidelines, Evaluations as of fresh Ribes turmeric is not for commonly Kentucky tories consumers, and currants. using local market channels like farmers foundhave beenin the mademarketplace. by Kentucky Common State uses University include using re- markets and community supported agriculture. A few thesearchers, vegetative who topsreported of both market potential to make in Kentuckyteas, and producersMarket Outlookalso sell these specialty crops via wholesale bothfor white, crops arered, used and inblack juicing. currants, Both rhizomesas well as can goose also- marketingCurrants and for gooseberries restaurant chefs.are minor Some crops food in theretailers U.S., beberries. dehydrated, Gooseberries pickled haveor candied. the greatest potential for focusedwith fewer on thanoffering 2,500 organic commercial and local acres, produce according have to fresh market sales. However, gooseberries also are reportedthe U.S. sourcingCensus of ginger Agriculture. locally. Historically, the U.S. Gingerrelatively and easy turmeric to grow have and receivedlocal supply attention can quickly in the regulated cultivation of Ribes species in an effort to healthmeet consumer and wellness demand. product market, with turmeric at- Localcontrol farmers white pinemarket blister customers rust (WPBR) and CSA mortality members in tracting much recent interest. The FDA regulates how willpines; benefit the WPBR from fungusrecipes needsand preparation a Ribes suggestions to com- productsProduction may beConsiderations marketed with respect to claims of forplete fresh its life ginger. cycle. Shelf The federal life and restriction storage potentialCrop/ health selection benefits. and Farm propagation marketers considerationswas lifted in 1966, should but besome conveyed states con to- mustCurrant understand types are the red, potential white, and ramifica black;- customers,tinue to restrict as the gooseberry fresh “baby” and currantginger tionsAmerican of making and healthEuropean claims gooseberries when sell- inproduction. its immature Production stage produced of Ribes in is high not ingare freshgreen produceto yellow crops, or redas associatingwhen ripe. tunnelsrestricted will in haveKentucky, different where requirements white pine theseCultivars specific vary cropsin terms with of health fruit characbenefits- thanblister the rust mature appears ginger to be that uncommon. is available www.uky.edu/CCDwww.uky.edu/CCD violatesteristics foodand disease marketing resistance. regulations. Consort,

11MattCheryl Ernst Kaiser is an is independenta former Extension contractor Associate with the with Center the Center for Cro forp Diversification. Crop Diversification. 22KristiMatt ErnstDurbin is isan a independentsenior horticulturist contractor in the with University the Center of Kforentucky Crop Diversification. Department of Horticulture. Cooperative Extension Service | Agriculture and Natural Resources | Family and Consumer Sciences | 4-H Youth Development | Community and Economic Development Coronet, Crusader, and Titania are immune to WPBR. Based on Kentucky State University research trials, the cultivars listed in TABLE 1 performed well in Kentucky. Selections with disease susceptibility are also included because they were superior in other pro- duction traits to those with resistance. WPBR suscep- tible cultivars should not be planted within 1,000 to 3,000 feet of susceptible pines.

Currants are easily propagated by hardwood cuttings of 1-year-old wood, while tip layering is a surer meth- od of gooseberry propagation.

Site selection and planting White currants (above) and red currants (below) Gooseberries and currants prefer a rich, moist, well- drained ; however, they will tolerate a wide range of soil types. Avoid waterlogged , as well as low sites where spring frosts might settle and injure blos- soms. Northern exposures that offer some afternoon shade are preferred, as is good air circulation.

Site preparation, including the destruction of all weeds, a year prior to planting is recommended. Well- rooted 1-year-old cuttings are planted during dorman- cy in late fall or early spring. Black currant cultivars are generally self-sterile, thus cross pollination is nec- essary. Gooseberries, red currants, and white currants, on the other hand, are self-fruitful so multiple culti- The majority of fruit is produced on the 2- and 3-year- vars are not required for pollination; however higher old shoots; canes that are 4 years or older produce yields and larger can be obtained with cross- very little fruit. Mature plants should be pruned annu- pollination. ally during dormancy to remove the older canes and

Table 1. Gooseberry and currant cultivars that have performed well in Kentucky

Resistant to Resistant to Resistant to PM; Not resistant to WPBR11 and PM2 WPBR; not PM not WPBR WPBR nor PM

Hinnomaki Red Gooseberries Amish Red Poorman Ben Sarek Black currant Titania Ben Lomond Red currant Viking Jonkeer Van Tets Rovada

White currant Primus White Imperial

1WPBR = White Pine Blister Rust 2PM=Powdery Mildew to promote new growth. Pruning helps increase yields and keeps the bushes manageable. Irrigation in June and July is important for improved fruit size and re- ducing heat stress.

Pest management It is recommended that growers generally select va- rieties that have white pine blister rust and powdery mildew resistance. Other potential disease problems include Septoria leaf spot and anthracnose.

While these crops have few serious insect pests, in- jury from mites and aphids can occur occasionally. Other potential pests include currant fruit fly and cur- rant borer. The imported currantworm is a sawfly larva Gooseberries that can rapidly strip the foliage from plants. Watch for this greenish-gray larva covered with dark spots tablishment, and installation of an irrigation system. beginning just after the leaves emerge in the spring. In The most significant investment for gooseberries and some seasons birds can be a serious problem as fruit currants will be the initial plant purchase, as plants ripens. Good weed control is very important and can can be difficult to obtain and should be ordered well be accomplished with cultivation and/or the use of in advance. Producers should b e prepared to pay up mulch. Kentucky growers may be able to use organic to the $7 range per plant. Assuming a price of $3.50 methods in producing these crops. per pound (about $5 to $5.50 per quart), establishment costs will not be fully paid back until Year 5 of pro- Harvest and storage duction. Gooseberries and currants ripen during mid- to late June in Central Kentucky and have roughly a two- Establishment costs for a one-fifth acre planting are week harvest period. Fruit for processing is generally estimated in 2019 at $3,860 for the first three years, hand-picked when fully sized but not completely ripe. including about $1,300 in labor costs. In a full-bearing Unripe currants can be placed in cold storage for a few year, production costs are estimated at $300 per one- days, if necessary, while gooseberries can keep for up fifth acre, with harvest and marketing costs at about to two weeks. Fruit for fresh use should be picked $900. Total costs per one-fifth acre in a full-produc- when fully ripe and marketed promptly. tion year, including both variable and fixed, were esti- mated between $1,800 and $1,900 for 2019. Presum- There is a time lapse of three years after planting be- ing gross returns (conservative) of $2,500 from full fore the first harvest is realized, with full production at production per one-fifth acre, returns above variable four years. Unlike currants, gooseberries have needle- costs could be approximately $1,000 per one-fifth acre like thorns that slow harvest. Mature bushes can yield with a return to land, capital and management of $750 4 to 8 pounds of fruit. Properly managed gooseberries to $800 per one-fifth acre. Like other properly mar- and currants can continue to fruit for 15 years or more. keted small fruit, gooseberries and currants have the potential for net returns in the $6,000 to $8,000 range Labor requirements per acre, especially through direct markets; however, Because of limited market demand, it is unlikely that Kentucky’s current local demand is not likely to sup- gooseberries and currants will be planted in Kentucky port widespread commercial plantings of Ribes. on a per-acre basis. Labor needs per 120 plants (about one-fifth acre) are approximately 10 hours for produc- Selected Resources tion and 40 hours for harvest. Additional labor time On the Internet will be required for processing these crops. • Growing Gooseberries and Currants (Kentucky State University, 2010) 3.84 MB Powerpoint Economic Considerations http://kysu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ Initial investments include land preparation, plant es- goosetalk02112010fin2ooo.pdf • Currant and Gooseberry Genetic Resources • Specialty Crop Profile: Ribes (Gooseberries and (USDA-ARS National Clonal Germplasm Currants) (Virginia Cooperative Extension, 2009) Repository, 2010) http://www.ars.usda.gov/Main/ https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/438/438-107/438-107. docs.htm?docid=11353 html • Currants and Gooseberries (Purdue University, 2001) https://edustore.purdue.edu/item.asp?item_ In print number=ho-17-w#.WECJUpIwbxU • Currants, Gooseberries, and Jostaberries: A Guide • Currants and Gooseberries (Ohio State University, for Growers, Marketers, and Researchers in North 2011) https://southcenters.osu.edu/horticulture/fruits/ America. Danny L. Barney and Kim E. Hummer. currants-and-gooseberries 2005. Hawthorn Press. 266 pp. • Gooseberry (Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, 2016) https://www.agmrc.org/commodities- Suggested Citation: products/fruits/gooseberry Kaiser, C. and M. Ernst. (2020). Gooseberries & Currants. • Gooseberries and Currants (Cornell University, CCD-CP-6. Lexington, KY: Center for Crop Diversification, 2019) http://www.hort.cornell.edu/fruit/mfruit/ University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and gooseberries.html Environment. Available: http://www.uky.edu/ccd/sites/www. • The Diagnostic Tool (Cornell University) uky.edu.ccd/files/currants.pdf https://blogs.cornell.edu/berrytool/

Reviewed by John Strang, UK Extension Specialist, and Sheri Crabtree, Kentucky State University Horticulture Research and Extension Associate Photos courtesy of Pixabay.com September 2020

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