Taking care of your plants

OVERVIEW

A hardy bush producing tart to sweet berries in early to mid-summer. Grow in sun or light shade and prune to keep the centre open for easier picking. Gooseberries are excellent for pies, fools, jams and cooking sauces.

• Vegetable type: Gooseberry
• Key characteristic: Tart berries perfect for cooking and traditional desserts.
• Hardiness: Fully hardy (suitable for most UK gardens).

PLANTING ADVICE  

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Best grown in the ground with support where required.

• Outdoor cultivation

Suitable for outdoor cultivation in full sun or light shade depending on variety.

• Greenhouse cultivation

Can be grown under cover for earlier crops, though typically grown outdoors.

CARE & HARVEST

Keep soil moist and weed free. Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune after fruiting or in winter depending on the variety. Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting.

• Watering: Water well during flowering and fruiting. Container-grown plants will need more frequent watering in warm weather.
• Feeding: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring before new growth starts.
• Cutting and prunning: Prune in winter to maintain an open shape and encourage productive growth.
• Harvesting: Harvest when berries are plump and fully coloured. Use fresh or freeze promptly. 
• Pest and diseases: Protect fruit from slugs and birds using netting or barriers. 

VERVE RECOMMENDS

• Harvest little and often to keep plants productive and performing at their best.