Description
English gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) are fast-growing deciduous shrubs with very sharp thorns. This straggling bush produces deep green leaves with bell-shaped flowers, which change colour in autumn and drop in winter.
The fruits are mostly green but there are red, yellow and white varieties available. The delicious tart fruit is ideal for eating fresh juices, jellies, jams and desserts.
Position
Plant your gooseberries in full sun, if possible. They do tolerate partial shade but cannot survive in heavy frosts. Shelter your bush from strong winds. This berry is fairly drought-hardy.
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
Loamy to sandy, well-drained soil is optimal for a healthy gooseberry bush. It should be kept moist and have a pH level of between 5.5 and 7.0. Sandy soil mixed with a little organic compost or potting soil is sufficient.
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. It can tolerate drought but will not fruit during a drought.
Pruning
Most pruning is completed in winter when the bush is dormant. Cut out all dead and diseased wood and shoots growing too close to the ground.
Fertilising
Use our slow-release nitrogen-rich Berry/All-plant Fertiliser. Four young plants, apply 1 teaspoon every 4-5 months.
Pests
Gooseberry plants can be affected by cutworm and caterpillars. Watch out for these as they are airborne pests and can be treated with an organic pesticide.
Harvesting
English Gooseberries are ready to pick when they change from green to a reddish/purple. Handle the soft plump fruits gently and wear thick gloves if the small thorns become unbearable. Gooseberries are at their mouth-watering best immediately after picking. You can keep them fresh in polythene bags in the fridge for up to a week.
