{"id":15048,"date":"2015-07-18T00:27:23","date_gmt":"2015-07-18T07:27:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gardenerstips.co.uk\/blog\/?p=15048"},"modified":"2015-07-18T00:36:35","modified_gmt":"2015-07-18T07:36:35","slug":"how-i-prune-my-gooseberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardenerstips.co.uk\/blog\/flowers\/vegetables-herbs\/how-i-prune-my-gooseberries\/","title":{"rendered":"Gooseberry Growing & Care"},"content":{"rendered":"

Gob stopper gooseberries are the order of the day. Mega crops this year are going to be a culinary delight fresh and from the freezer.
\n\"gooseberry\"<\/a><\/p>\n

How To Plant New Gooseberries<\/h3>\n

Space bushes 5 feet apart.
\nDig in lots of manure or well rotted compost
\nIf planting container grown plants tease out the roots before planting firmly in a large hole.
\nMulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
\nIn late November I planted several new varieties of gooseberry bush as I am looking for more fruit (and fruit pies). These plants do not need any pruning until next year and then only very light pruning. Never the less I have had a good look to make sure that there are no damaged branches to trim and I will check again if we get some heavy snow.<\/p>\n

\"Gooseberry<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Gooseberry Bush Information<\/h3>\n

Gooseberries are one of the earliest fruit crops in the UK.
\nKeepsake is an early flowering variety ready in May if your plot is not prone to late frost.
\nFruit grows after insignificant flowers on numerous spurs (little side shoots).
\nTo minimise mildew grow your bush with an open branch network.
\nRoots are near to the surface so avoid aggressive hoeing.<\/p>\n

How To Train & Prune Gooseberries<\/h3>\n

Prune between November and March but January is a great time to prune the prickly bushes particularly if they have got a bit over grown.
\nGooseberries are grown on a short leg so on new plants prune off any branches less than 6 inches above soil level.
\nRemove damaged and crossing branches plus those growing into the center of the bush.
\nShorten the new growth by 50% and prune side shoots to 2 inches from the stem.
\nCut the leaders (main large stems) by half their length.
\nCut laterals (side branches) back to two or three buds. This encourages more fruiting spurs.
\nCreate an open framework and an open crown.
\nAlways use sharp secateurs or loppers<\/p>\n

\"Cordon<\/a><\/p>\n

Interesting Facts about Gooseberry Bushes<\/h3>\n

Prunings can root quite easily to grow more bushes.
\nBushes are normally quite long lived.
\nGooseberries fertilise themselves so even a single bush can grow a crop of over 10lbs of fruit.
\nBushes will grow in light shade and tolerate cold.
\nBushes can be grown as standards.
\nGooseberry clubs and competitions go back in history<\/a>
\nFruit will be smaller on light sandy soil but increase with extra watering as fruit start to swell.
\nPlaying gooseberry wont lead to a baby under the gooseberry bush but may make a gooseberry fool!<\/p>\n

Pests & Problems with Gooseberry Bushes<\/h3>\n

Sawfly caterpillars can strip the leaves of a bus before the fruit ripens. The pale green, black spotted critters leave eggs on the underside of the leaves. Take then off and burn, do not compost.Alternatively spray with pyrethrum.
\nGooseberry mildew can be a problem particularly when it is deposited on the fruit where it turns from white to brown. Prune out infected branches and burn. Thin out branches to improve air circulation. Give a high potash feed to strengthen young branches. Invicta variety seems to be resistant to mildew.
\nIf birds are eating the young buds then you may need to net over your gooseberries or grow them in a cage.<\/p>\n

Varieties of Gooseberry Bush<\/h3>\n

I have just planted Hinnomaki yellow and red varieties.
\nLeveller is an old variety with sharp tasting yellow\/green fruit.
\nPax is a spineless bush with fruit that can be eaten uncooked.
\nWhinhams industry is a hairy reddish variety.
\nInvicta has an AGM
\nMy Lancashire Lad is a heritage variety that fruits red.<\/p>\n

Dessert Varieties of Gooseberry Bush<\/h3>\n

Langley Gage is one of the best dessert varieties. Small smooth thin skinned berries are almost transparent when ripe.
\nRed skinned Captivator is sweet and juicy.
\nGolden Drop has small delicious fruit to eat straight from the bush
\nLatin name Ribes uva-crispa<\/p>\n

\"Gooseberry\"<\/a>
\n<\/p>\n

Catering with Gooseberries<\/strong><\/h3>\n