Gooseberry Bushes - Planting & Care

Follow these simple tips about planting and caring for your gooseberry plants to ensure they bear a good crop of fruit for many years.

Plant bare root canes in late Autumn or early Winter. If this is not possible then plant in February-March.
Most gooseberry bushes prefer a sunny site but will tolerate some shade. They must be protected from strong winds. You should also avoid frost pockets.
Prepare an area of about 60cm square for each gooseberry bush at least one month before planting.
Remove all weeds and replace the top spit of soil with a 8cm layer of garden compost. Add a fertiliser such as Growmore to the soil before planting.
Bushes should be planted about 1.5m apart.
In Spring apply a mulch of well-rotted manure as well as nitrogen and potassium fertilisers.
In order to get a good yield you will need to prune your gooseberry plants in winter. (See links below for more details on how to do this). Summer pruning is optional but will help the sun get to the fruit to ripen it more quickly.
The crop should be thinned in June with the initial crop of small berries used for cooking.
Provide plenty of water when the crop is swelling and ripening.
Gooseberry plants will need protecting against birds so cover with a fruit cage or netting.

Useful Web Resources on Gooseberry Bushes- Planting & Care

Blackmoor Nurseries - See the Fruit Growers Handbook section on Soft Fruit Culture