Few foods pack as much goodness into such small, colourful packages as fresh fruit berries. They are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and fibre. They’re a tasty way to support overall health, with vibrant flavours and generous nutrition. Now is the perfect time to make more of your favourite fruit bushes for free, using the hardwood cuttings method.

Taking hardwood cuttings from fruit bushes such as currants and gooseberries is wonderfully straightforward and reliable. It is one of the easiest ways to grow new fruit bushes at home. If done now, the cuttings should root strongly and produce new plants by next year. You’ll be amazed how quickly healthy, uniform plants establish with hardwood cuttings.

Not only does it save money, but it also helps rejuvenate ageing plants for future crops. In the process, your garden stays productive for years to come with minimal effort. Plus, there’s the quiet satisfaction of knowing those future harvests started with a snip of your own secateurs. That feeling is hard to beat on crisp autumn days, especially when hardwood cuttings succeed.

What you’ll need

Labelled garden bed
  • Sharp, clean secateurs/pruners for neat cuts
  • A spade or hand trowel for creating the trench
  • Peat-free compost and grit if using pots
  • Plant labels and a pencil for clear naming

How to take hardwood cuttings

  1. Choose healthy, woody stems from this year’s growth, avoiding damaged or weak material. Using clean secateurs, cut lengths about 20 to 25cm long. Trim just below a bud at the base and just above a bud at the top. This positioning encourages rooting and balanced growth with hardwood cuttings.
  2. Pinch off any soft growth at the top, which can wilt quickly. Remove any leaves still remaining on the stems to reduce moisture loss. Clean, leafless cuttings root more reliably in autumn conditions.
  3. Choose an area of weed-free soil that is not compacted and drains freely. Gently push the cuttings into the soil so two-thirds of each stem is below the surface. Space them about 15cm apart for airflow and easy lifting later. Firm them in well and water to settle the soil.
  4. If spare space in the garden or allotment is limited, use a deep pot instead. Fill it with gritty peat-free compost and set the cuttings firmly. Leave the pot outside, uncovered, so winter weather encourages rooting.
  5. That’s all there is to it, and it truly is that simple. Now leave the cuttings over winter to root quietly while you are busy elsewhere. By next autumn, you should have sturdy young plants ready for permanent spots. Lift them carefully and plant where they can thrive.
Currant bush
Blackcurrant cutting in the ground

Top tip – Remember to label your rows or pots clearly, especially when taking several different varieties. Without labels, they will all look the same at this time of year.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1) When is the best time to take hardwood cuttings?

November 2025 is ideal. Take hardwood cuttings in late autumn, then leave them over winter to root quietly. They should be ready by next autumn.

2) Which fruit bushes suit hardwood cuttings?

Currants and gooseberries respond especially well. The method is straightforward and reliable, producing healthy, uniform plants at home with minimal effort.

3) How long should each cutting be, and where do I cut?

Choose healthy, woody stems from this year’s growth. Cut pieces 20–25cm long, trimming below a bud at the base and above a bud at the top.

4) How do I plant the cuttings in soil or pots?

Use weed-free, free-draining ground and bury two-thirds of each cutting. Space them 15cm apart, firm in, and water. If space is tight, use a deep pot filled with gritty peat-free compost left outside, uncovered.

5) What tools and tips will improve success?

Use sharp, clean secateurs, a spade or hand trowel, peat-free compost, grit, labels, and a pencil. Remove leaves and soft growth, then label varieties clearly. Hardwood cuttings save money, rejuvenate ageing plants, and keep gardens productive.

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