GARDEN IDEAS
Growing Gooseberries
Gooseberries have been grown in the kitchen garden for hundreds of years, although in recent years they seem to have fallen out of fashion. This is possibly due to them not being 'instant' food.
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Although you can eat them raw, they are very sharp and nearly always cooked with a little sugar first. But don't let that put you off. They are well worth growing in the garden and usually crop earlier in the year than other fruits.
There are many different types from small yellow sweet fruits to larger red dessert varieties.
Thompson and Morgan are a great online supplier and in the UK you can buy plants direct and ready to grow!
Gooseberry 'Invicta'
One of the heaviest cropping varieties available
Flavoursome, smooth skinned fruits
Maintains its shape when cooked
Planting Gooseberries:
Generally gooseberries should be planted in the autumn. Prepare the soil in a sunny well drained spot in your garden. Remove any perennial weeds and non-organic debris. Dig a hole large enough to take the roots of your plant, and put a little well rotted manure or all purpose fertilizer in the base of the hole.
Place carefully, spreading out the roots gently and re-fill the hole with the soil you dug out. Firm down and water well. For at least the first winter, mulch around the plant to protect the roots from extreme cold or frost. This may be necessary in subsequent winters if you live in a cold climate.
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* Always check on the manufacturer's growing recommendations for your particular plant, as varieties and regional needs may differ. From planting to cropping may take a couple of years, so be patient! It'll be worth it in the end...
Looking after your plants:
It's important to water bushes regularly and not let them dry out, especially during the weeks the fruits are growing and swelling. If you let the ground dry out too much before watering, you may find the fruits will split or crack.
Bushes should be pruned after the fruits have finished every year. Cut out the middle branches, to make picking easier. Also cut off any straggly branches and dead wood. Fruit develops on old wood, not new, so don't cut the branches right back. Leave a bud or two on each branch so that the fruits have room to develop.
Summer pruning is also advisable in some cases. Check on any variety differences, but usually you can cut back a little of the plant in the summer without affecting the growth too much.
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Gooseberries come early in the year and are one of the first fruits to be picked from the garden. Make the most of them!
And apparently gooseberries don't always have to be green!
Gooseberry Collection (UK)
3 productive varieties in one collection!
Harvest from late June onwards
Fruits are ideal for eating fresh or cooking
Eating Gooseberries:
As mentioned above, gooseberries can be eaten raw, but many varieties are sharp and need a little sugar to make them palatable. Top and tail the fruits and rinse under the tap to wash off any bits of twig or leaf. Cut in half and cook gently in a pan with some sugar and serve simply with ice cream or hot custard.
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They can also be made into pies. Cook as before then put them into an ovenproof dish and cover with a short-crust pastry. Or line a tin with pastry and spread halved fruits over the pastry. Glaze with a little sugar and water and bake to make an open tart.
And if you have plenty left over, make lots of jam!