How to Grow Jostaberries UK | Regional Planting Calendar

Jostaberry (Ribes x nidigrolaria)

A branch loaded with ripe dark jostaberries — “Jostabeere” by Nikolai Fokscha is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons

2 sources cited · Verified

The short answer

Plant
Early November to late February
Site
4+ hours of sun

In the UK, jostaberries go in the ground early November to late February.

Jostaberries (Ribes x nidigrolaria) — Deciduous shrub, self-fertile -- RHS confirms self-fertile bushes crop well, with more fruit possible via….

Timing is the decision that matters most in the UK: sowing early November, and that same window applies across all 4 regions covered here.

Core growing advice on this page is checked against named horticultural sources — see References.

Regional Planting Calendar

Region Sow
Southern England early November to late February
Midlands early November to late February
Northern England early November to late February
Scotland early November to late February
Southern England - detail & sources

Both RHS and BBC Gardeners' World state propagation is by hardwood cuttings taken during dormancy (late autumn to late winter); applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.

Midlands - detail & sources

Both RHS and BBC Gardeners' World state propagation is by hardwood cuttings taken during dormancy (late autumn to late winter); applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.

Northern England - detail & sources

Both RHS and BBC Gardeners' World state propagation is by hardwood cuttings taken during dormancy (late autumn to late winter); applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.

Scotland - detail & sources

Both RHS and BBC Gardeners' World state propagation is by hardwood cuttings taken during dormancy (late autumn to late winter); applied as one UK-wide window across all four sub-regions.

Quick Facts

A branch loaded with ripe dark jostaberries — “Jostabeere” by Nikolai Fokscha is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Jostabeere” by Nikolai Fokscha is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Factor Value
Sunlight 4-8 hours direct sun
Minimum survivable temp -15C
Soil texture Chalk, clay, loam or sand (RHS)
Drainage Moist but well-drained (RHS; BBC Gardeners' World agrees, not waterlogged)
Lifecycle Deciduous shrub, self-fertile -- RHS confirms self-fertile bushes crop well, with more fruit possible via cross-pollination from a different variety.
Edible parts fruit

At a Glance

Close-up of red jostaberry flowers — “Caseille jostaberry flowers” by Grégoire VINCKE is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Caseille jostaberry flowers” by Grégoire VINCKE is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Ribes x nidigrolaria Jostaberry Birds (fruit) PESTS

Soil & Growing Conditions

A young jostaberry bush growing in a garden — “2018-05-13 (248) Ribes × nidigrolaria (Jostaberry) at Bichlhäusl in Frankenfels, Austria” by GT1976 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“2018-05-13 (248) Ribes × nidigrolaria (Jostaberry) at Bichlhäusl in Frankenfels, Austria” by GT1976 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Water: Water thoroughly after planting (BBC Gardeners' World)

Growth Stages

Unripe green jostaberry fruit on the branch — “Caseille jostaberry immature fruits” by Grégoire VINCKE is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Caseille jostaberry immature fruits” by Grégoire VINCKE is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Stage BBCH Notes
Planting and establishment 0 Plant during dormancy, late autumn or spring; dig a hole twice the rootball's width and position the soil mark about 5cm lower than the surrounding soil, watering thoroughly afterwards (BBC Gardeners' World). Space plants about 1.5m apart with 1.8m between rows.
Vegetative growth 3 Vigorous, spineless deciduous growth, reaching about 1.5-2.5m tall and 1-1.5m spread (RHS). Mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost and apply a general-purpose fertiliser in spring (RHS).
Flowering and fruit set 6 Self-fertile -- a single bush crops well, though cross-pollination from a different variety can increase yield (RHS).
Fruiting and harvest 8 Fruit ripens from light green through to dark reddish-black, ready to pick individually in late July to early August (BBC Gardeners' World; RHS). Protect from birds with reflective tape, CDs or netting.

Harvest & Storage

A bowl of harvested jostaberries — “Josta” by Dezidor is licensed under CC BY 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Josta” by Dezidor is licensed under CC BY 3.0. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

When to pick: Pick individually once fruit has turned dark reddish-black, late July to early August (BBC Gardeners' World). Eaten fresh or used in desserts and preserves (RHS); flavour is milder than blackcurrant, tasting more of gooseberry when underripe and more of blackcurrant once fully ripe.

Pests

A cluster of ripe jostaberries — “Ribes nidigrolaria2” by User:Zualio is licensed under CC BY 2.5. Source: Wikimedia Commons
“Ribes nidigrolaria2” by User:Zualio is licensed under CC BY 2.5. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Birds (fruit)
moderate

Aves

Named directly by both RHS and BBC Gardeners' World as the main threat to ripening fruit -- reflective tape, CDs or netting recommended.

References

  1. Cross between blackcurrant and gooseberry. Soil: rich, moisture-retentive, not waterlogged. Full sun ideal, crops even with half-day sun. Plant dormancy (late autumn or spring), hole twice rootball width, soil mark 5cm below surrounding soil, space 1.5m apart with 1.8m between rows, water thoroughly after planting. Size: vigorous deciduous shrub to 2m x 2m. Pruning: winter dormant, reduce stems by half taking oldest wood right back to ground, remove low sideshoots, prune tips for accessible height. Pests/diseases: generally disease and pest free, resistant to leaf spot and mildew affecting gooseberries; birds need protection (reflective tape/CDs/netting). Harvest late July/early August, individually picked, dark reddish-black when ripe. Propagation: hardwood cuttings in dormancy, 15cm sections, 10cm deep.

  2. Deciduous, vigorous, spineless, 2-5yrs to maturity. Hardiness H5 (-15 to -10C). Soil: chalk/clay/loam/sand, moist but well-drained, acid/alkaline/neutral. Full sun or partial shade, south/east/west-facing, sheltered. Height 1.5-2.5m, spread 1-1.5m. Propagate by hardwood cuttings in dormancy. Pests: birds (fruit). Diseases: generally disease-free, resistant to gooseberry leaf spot and gooseberry mildew. Hybrid of gooseberry and blackcurrant, not native to GB/Ireland, family Grossulariaceae. Self-fertile, crops July-August, eaten fresh or in desserts/preserves. Grow as blackcurrants -- see blackcurrant cultivation page for more detail.

2 independent sources are cited for this crop. Where they disagree - soil pH is the clearest case - every figure is preserved rather than averaged into false precision.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I sow jostaberries in the UK?

In Southern England, from early November. In Scotland, wait until early November. Treat these as a guide rather than a fixed date — the governing rule is to sow only once frost risk has passed and temperatures are reliably warm enough.

When do I sow jostaberries?

Sow early November to late February.

Plan next season before the problems start

Most of the advice on this page comes down to timing and spacing — sowing at the right moment, rotating beds, and giving plants enough airflow. The UK Garden Planner lays your plot out month by month so those decisions are already made before the season starts.

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Last verified 2026-09-03