Description
Cape Gooseberry is an upright, straggling plant that bears yellow fruit inside a brown husk. They contain many vitamins and antioxidants as well as Pectin which is excellent for bone strengthening.
Position
Cape Gooseberry Plants like full sun but will tolerate a bit of shade. They prefer to be sheltered from strong winds and very cold winters. They cannot survive heavy frosts.
Size
A mature bush will grow to a height of about 1.5 metres with a similar spread. So, give your new plants plenty of room to grow.
Soil
Cape Gooseberries can grow in almost all soil types, but thrive in loamy to sandy, well-drained soil. The soil pH level best suited for this plant is between 5.5 and 7.0. Sandy soil mixed with a little organic compost or potting soil is sufficient for this plant.
Our Volcanic Rock Dust with its organic minerals and trace elements will keep your soil healthy and increase important micro-organisms in it.
Mulch
Organic compost and mulch like straw, wood chips, or grass cuttings help to keep the moisture in the soil and the weeds away. Do not put the mulch close to the stems or branches, though, as it may cause them to rot.
Watering
Keep the soil around your bush moist during the growing season. Although the Cape gooseberry can tolerate drought, it will not fruit during a drought.
Water the soil only and not the leaves, as this encourages pests and diseases.
Pruning
Cut away dead canes in the winter.
Fertilising
It isn’t necessary to fertilise your gooseberry, but if it is struggling then apply one teaspoon of our Berry/All-plant Fertiliser every 4-5 months should assist with fruiting.
Pests
Gooseberry plants can be affected by cutworms and caterpillars. Watch out for these as they are airborne pests and can be treated with an organic pesticide like our Neem Oil.
Harvesting
To gauge whether your gooseberries are ready to be picked and enjoyed, squeeze the berry inside the brown husk gently. It should give a little under the pressure. If it is very soft, it is overripe.
To store gooseberries, they should be picked when ripe in their envelopes/husks and kept at room temperature. They can last up to 30 days.
