Very healthy gooseberries thrive on a trellis, as a standard tree or as a shrub. The planting is as uncomplicated as the cultivation form is different. Here you will find actionable answers to all important questions.

When is gooseberry planting time?

In the container, gooseberries can be planted in the ground all year round, as long as it does not freeze. Basically, autumn is considered the best time for planting, during the months of October and November. Anyone who misses this date will plant the fruit in the spring.

Which location is suitable?

If you choose the planting site wisely, this is already half the battle on the way to a bountiful harvest. The location should be like this:

  • sunny to semi-shady position, without blazing midday sun
  • likes to be warm, protected and surrounded by air
  • nutrient-rich, humus-rich soil
  • moist, fresh and clayey
  • calcareous and well aerated

Gooseberries have a hard time growing in sandy, dry soil. A targeted improvement of the soil is required here with plenty of compost and a portion of clay.

What should be considered when planting gooseberries?

The more finely crumbly the earth is structured, the faster the roots take hold. Therefore, before planting, dig up the soil 2 spades deep and rake carefully. The planting pits have twice the volume of the root ball. This is soaked in water before insertion until no more air bubbles rise. Proceed as follows:

  • mix the excavation with compost and horn shavings
  • insert the potted plant, press down the soil and water
  • mulch with nettle leaves, comfrey or fern
  • Leave a 10 centimeter radius around the root collar

If you plant a tall stem, it needs a support post. This should reach up to the crown, with a length of 140 centimeters.

What planting distance must be observed?

The selected variety essentially determines the planting distance. In row plantings, it oscillates between 1.50 and 2 meters. Standard trees can be placed to save space, with a distance of 1.30 meters. There are currently columnar gooseberries to be discovered that are content with a distance of 0.80 centimetres.

When is gooseberry harvest time?

Harvest time usually runs from June to August. The advantage is that even half-ripe fruits taste good. If the plant is full of berries, a part is harvested and preserved. The plant then easily carries the remaining load until it is fully ripe for fresh consumption.

How does the propagation succeed?

A gooseberry bush is very easy to propagate with cuttings. This is how the offspring succeed:

  • in autumn cut off annual branches with a length of 20-25 centimeters
  • defoliate the lower half of the shoot, leaving a maximum of 4 buds on the top
  • Fill pots with potting soil to plant a cutting in each

Then keep constantly moist. A vigorous young plant will have developed from this by spring or autumn.

tips and tricks

A clever mixed culture keeps diseases away and increases the yield. If you plant lily of the valley, garlic, marigolds and yarrow in the immediate vicinity of gooseberries, this measure promotes vitality, taste and harvest.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden