Gooseberries
1. To give them the very best start, prepare the ground in August by digging a 1m (3ft) round hole and incorporating well-rotted manure, or good garden compost and general fertiliser
2. Plant in October while soil is still warm. A sunny position is ideal but they will tolerate part shade. Space bushes at least 1.5m (5feet) apart spreading roots evenly in the hole and fill in, firming soil with your foot.
3. Prune in November shortening side shoots to encourage fruiting spurs and keeping bush open in the centre so that air can circulate which discourages mildew and facilitates picking.
4. Mulch with layer of organic matter (compost or bark) in spring to suppress weeds.
5. When bushes come into leaf in March watch for signs of sawfly caterpillars which shred the leaves.
6. Gooseberries need a moist soil, crucially when fruit is being formed, and water during dry spells throughout the summer. Delay spraying for mildew once flowering is finished and bees have moved on.
7. Cover with netting to protect from birds from May onwards when young fruits are formed. It’s a good idea to keep them protected all the time as birds feed on the buds in winter too.
8. Berries are traditionally thinned on Barnaby Day (June 11) though some start as early as Whitsunday (3rd week in May). Take about half the crop off, and eat these thinnings cooked.
9. As berries swell keep off excess rain by covering pen with an umbrella or rhubarb leaves.
Best gooseberries to grow
Invicta Vigorous and high yielding, producing large, pale green berries. For dessert and cooking.
Pax Full flavoured red-fruited variety, almost thornless, large sweet fruits with excellent mildew resistance.
Greenfinch Excellent disease resistant variety forming compact bush with bright green fruits, excellent for cooking.
Rokula Red, delicious dessert gooseberry, resistant to mildew.
Whinham’s Industry Red-fruited variety, good for partial shade and heavy soils, but prone to mildew.
Suppliers
R.V. Roger - www.rvroger.co.uk
Ken Muir - www.kenmuir.co.uk
Read Vivian Russell's fascinating report on the competitive world of gooseberry growing in the July 2010 edition of Saga Magazine.