When caring for gooseberries, there are a few factors that really matter. In addition to the water and nutrient balance, cutting plays an important role. We explain how to handle all aspects correctly.

What is the water requirement of gooseberries?

Gooseberries don't want to have anything to do with drought stress. The berry bushes are preferably watered regularly in the morning when the natural rainfall is not sufficient. The surface of the soil is allowed to dry out a little between waterings.

How to fertilize the berry bushes?

A combination of organic fertilizer and mulch (€239.00) perfectly meets the requirements of heavily consuming gooseberries. The following nutrient supply has proven itself:

  • In March, work in compost with horn shavings (32.93€) on the surface
  • Repeat this process after flowering and after harvest
  • spread a layer of mulch of comfrey, nettle leaves, or fern
  • from April to July fertilize every 2 weeks with a plant manure

Where no organic fertilizer is available, commercial berry fertilizer (€3.94) can be used as an alternative, dosed according to the instructions.

What should be considered when cutting gooseberries?

In the period after the harvest until the end of February, gooseberries receive a targeted pruning. In the first step, all dead wood is thinned out. Cut out inward branches as well as stunted and crossing specimens. Then it goes like this:

  • Cut back the two oldest leading branches to the ground
  • select the two strongest of the new shoots
  • consistently prune all other shoots that sprout from the base
  • leave 2-3 long shoots on each leading branch, as these will bear fruit
  • worn fruit branches intersect except for 2 eyes

The ideal gooseberry bush carries 2 year old, 2 year old, 3 year old and 4 year old leaders. The situation is similar with a standard gooseberry tree, whereby hanging branches in particular have to give way.

What diseases threaten gooseberries?

There are two primary diseases to focus on during the summer. In dry, warm weather, American gooseberry powdery mildew lurks. If the weather is warm and humid, leaf fall disease spreads.

tips and tricks

In principle, the frost-hardy gooseberry bushes do not need any extra winter protection. In the bucket, on the other hand, there are different conditions, since the root ball could freeze through here. Before the first frost, wrap planters in bubble wrap and place them on wood or Styrofoam in front of the south wall of the house.

GTH

Category:

Vegetable garden