Gooseberries
The gooseberry , Ribes grossularia , is native to Britain where it has been cultivate since the thirteenth century at least . Being self - fat and productive , it is ideal for a minor garden .
Gooseberries excel in the cooler areas of the Midlands and North.
They are large-minded of most land but not of waterlogging . Growth may be weak on misfortunate crushed rock soils or easygoing and disease - susceptible on hard clays . Both these extreme benefit from enrichment with garden compost , peat or leaf mold . Gooseberries are very sensitive to potash inadequacy .
A position in full sunshine is best for early ripening ; Bush can be planted against Union or east walls to give extra - late crop . As gooseberry bloom ahead of time in the leap it is crucial not to plant them in low - lying , rimed areas . For the economic system of place , they may be planted between plum trees as both apprise generous manuring .
In addition to the more common Dubyuh forms , single , double , or treble cordon can be maturate for special dessert or exhibition berries . Standard gooseberries are easier for senior people to grow and pick .
Cultivation Gooseberries are propagate from hardwood cuttings in mid - October , choosing well - mature shoots 20 - 23 cm ( 8 - 9 in ) long . The lower bud are slay to prevent suckers from forming . Theprepared film editing are planted10 cm ( 4 in ) late in a slit trench with sand or grit in the bottom . Standard gooseberries are formed by ingraft scions onto Ribes aureum rootstocks with stems of the required altitude .
Planting is convey out from November to February on the ground antecedently enriched with farmyard manure . Bushes should be put out 1.2 - 2 metre ( 4 - 6 ft ) asunder each fashion ; single , double and threefold cordons at 0.3 , 0.5 and 0.7 G ( 1 , 1 and 2 ft ) severally ; criterion at 1.2 - 2 m ( 4 - 6 ft ) apart .
chaparral and cordons should have a 16 cm ( 6 in ) stem devoid of root and shoots to keep suckering . If necessary , cut off the topmost roots .
Plant firmly , covering the root with 8 - 10 centimetre ( 3 - 4 in ) of soil . abridge the take shoot by a one-half and side - shoots to two buds . Give a generous mulch in the leaping and thorough waterings in juiceless go during the first summer Keep the soil gage free by hoeing shallowly — mystifying cultivation damage the surface roots .
gooseberry demand an ample supplying of potassium hydroxide , especially on light soil ; potash deficiency stimulate poor growth and premature defoliation . Feed annually in the spring with 28 - 56 g ( 1 - 2 oz ) per sq m ( sq ft ) of sulfate of potassium hydroxide , not muriate of potash which causes folio scorching . Scatter bonfire ash tree round the bushes to give extra potash . Avoid promoting lush increment susceptible to American gooseberry mildew disease by excessive use of nitrogen-bearing fertilizers .
In July , prune the sideshoots to six folio to promote blossom bud formation and remove mold - infected tips . Tear out suckers — cut only induces more to develop .
Thinning the crop develop larger berries . Defer thinning until the small berries are worth being pick for preparation ( about Whitsuntide ) . Late variety maturate about the end of August . Harvest the Chuck Berry when they are under - ripe for preparation or when in full colored and soft for dessert use .
Winter prune the Bush in November or defer pruning until the outflow , when bird damage to the buds is recognize to be severe . Shorten leave shoot by one third . Spur prune sideshoots to 4 cm ( 1 1/2 in ) for heavy crops or to two bud for large dessert berries . Prune good bushes to outbound - pointing buds and weep President Bush to upward - repoint bud . Keep the centers of the bushes heart-to-heart .
