Gooseberries fruit on older wood and at the base of new wood, so are pruned in the winter. Cut new growth back to two buds and remove crossing branches and those that give an open shape to the bush.
Cutting new growth in the summer by one third, will improve the crop.
Grow more fruit bushes by cuttings
Gooseberries do not need full sun Select a moist by well drained spot and prepare the ground with rotted manure. Cordons can be planted closer than bushes that tend to spread, as the plant is pruned to an open shape
Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Gooseberry is a hardy plant.As the crop begins to be ready, harvest alternate fruit and use them in cooking, leaving the other berries to grow bigger and sweeter in a few weeks time, to use as desert gooseberries.
The fruit is easily frozen or can be made into jam
These estimates for how long Gooseberry takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average days | Min days | Max days (0)
Average 491 days | Min 397 days | Max 930 days (9)
Gooseberries growing was very popular in Lancashire and resulted in many plant varieties and gardening clubs
Ribes grossularia
Misspellings: Ribes hybr. grossulariaceae, Goseberry, Goosebery, Goosberry