Gooseberry Care
- Planting gooseberries in rich but well-drained soil provides for the best health and production on the plants. Gooseberries thrive in soil that remains evenly moist. They cannot tolerate soggy sites or areas where standing water collects. Locations that receive light afternoon shade prevent the soil from drying too quickly and protect the leaves from sunscald during the hotter parts of the year. The bushes require about 1 inch of water a week during the spring and summer growing season, from either irrigation or rain. Water one to two times weekly in dry weather to keep the top 8 inches of soil moist.
- Gooseberries require minimal fertilization to maintain the nutrient supply in the garden bed. A half-bushel of stable manure applied around the base of the gooseberry bush in spring replenishes both the nutrients and the organic matter in the soil. No other fertilization is required if you choose to use manure. If manure isn't available, fertilize the gooseberry bushes with 1/4 lb. 10-10-10 fertilizer in late fall or early spring when the bushes are dormant. Sprinkle the fertilizer on the soil around the bush then water thoroughly.
- Yearly pruning keeps the gooseberries healthy and productive. The plants primarily produce berries on two- and three-year-old canes, with some berry production also occurring on new wood. Prune the plants when they are dormant in late winter, before new growth begins. Cut out all but eight of the healthiest shoots on new bushes. Prune each year, keeping three to four each of one-, two- and three-year-old canes. Remove any canes older than three years because these no longer fruit. Always prune out the weakest canes, leaving the stronger ones to grow on.
- Weeds encroach on gooseberry beds, drawn to the rich soil. Applying a 2- to 3-inch mulch layer prevents most weed problems. Any remaining weeds require hand pulling before they become established. Rake and replenish the mulch layer each year to maintain its depth and to force out any rodent pests nesting in the old mulch. Gooseberries sometimes suffer from powdery mildew, necessitating an anti-fungal spray treatment. Aphids, cutworms and cane borers may also attack the bushes. Use a pesticide formulated for the specific pests if the bushes suffer an infestation.
