Depends on their size and how well they grow. Some say you shouldn't let them fruit in their first year anyway.
And, I believe you're supposed to cut them back horribly after planting, although I never have. What they are supposed to have is a 'leg' of about 6" above the ground with no branches on, so it may be wise to remove buds in that area. Having said that, I've seen plenty of productive bushes without that, so I dunno. Someone will.
I have a bush at home trained as an espalier, and the leader has now reached about 5' and stopped. My leg is about 8" and it hasn't(so far) been buried. The foliage seems to keep the local sawfly population well fed.
Thanks for that info good people,its much appreciated.Like I say I'm a complete newbie to fruit growing of any kind,well apart from tomatoes but I'm not very experienced even with those.
OK two months on from planting and both bushes have about doubled in size from roughly 1ft to 2. Do I just leave them to grow until autumn? When do I prune them? Thanks in advance
If planted out as new this year aim to cut out any branches growing inward. What you want growing next year is a plant which grows and allows lots of air to flow through the centre.
Just prune off the tops of other branches this year, it will take at least 2 yrs for your new plant to come into it's prime, taking this year as yr 1.
OK thank you to you both. So basically its encouraging the plant to send its new growth outwards while keeping the centre uncluttered. The new growth these last two months has been predominantly upwards in one long shoot.
I've got two red gooseberry bushes. I had sawfly on one the first year but nothing this year, loads of gooseberries. Definitely plant on the ground, and trim in autumn/winter to a goblet shape (which I will be doing) so the fruits are easier to get to.
I know I must sound like a philistine but I have 6 gooseberry bushes edging my potage. I have made enough jam to sink a ship, we have eaten gooseberry fool all summer and I have frozen the rest for gooseberry crumble come winter and now am wondering if I ought to rip half the bushes up to make way for something more inspiring.
First of all I hate picking them, hands get ripped to shreds and secondly they are taking up a lot of space. Do you think there is a reason they were planted as a border to veg patch? Happy to keep them if they serve a useful purpose, but really. have definitely had more than enough gooseberries for this year. And, before anyone suggests I share them with neighbours, I don't have any - could maybe set up a jam stall on the local market though. Did find a lovely recipe for gooseberry chutney - that is lovely but really 6 bushes.....
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Depends on their size and how well they grow. Some say you shouldn't let them fruit in their first year anyway.
And, I believe you're supposed to cut them back horribly after planting, although I never have. What they are supposed to have is a 'leg' of about 6" above the ground with no branches on, so it may be wise to remove buds in that area. Having said that, I've seen plenty of productive bushes without that, so I dunno. Someone will.
There are some good videos on the internet showing how to prune gooseberries
and this site has some clear diagrams http://www.portkellsnurseries.com/?id=growinggooseberry
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
I have a bush at home trained as an espalier, and the leader has now reached about 5' and stopped. My leg is about 8" and it hasn't(so far) been buried. The foliage seems to keep the local sawfly population well fed.
Thanks for that info good people,its much appreciated.Like I say I'm a complete newbie to fruit growing of any kind,well apart from tomatoes but I'm not very experienced even with those.
OK two months on from planting and both bushes have about doubled in size from roughly 1ft to 2. Do I just leave them to grow until autumn? When do I prune them? Thanks in advance
If planted out as new this year aim to cut out any branches growing inward. What you want growing next year is a plant which grows and allows lots of air to flow through the centre.
Just prune off the tops of other branches this year, it will take at least 2 yrs for your new plant to come into it's prime, taking this year as yr 1.
OK thank you to you both. So basically its encouraging the plant to send its new growth outwards while keeping the centre uncluttered. The new growth these last two months has been predominantly upwards in one long shoot.
I've got two red gooseberry bushes. I had sawfly on one the first year but nothing this year, loads of gooseberries. Definitely plant on the ground, and trim in autumn/winter to a goblet shape (which I will be doing) so the fruits are easier to get to.
I've got reds too Gardenmaiden
Can't wait til next year
I know I must sound like a philistine but I have 6 gooseberry bushes edging my potage. I have made enough jam to sink a ship, we have eaten gooseberry fool all summer and I have frozen the rest for gooseberry crumble come winter and now am wondering if I ought to rip half the bushes up to make way for something more inspiring.
First of all I hate picking them, hands get ripped to shreds and secondly they are taking up a lot of space. Do you think there is a reason they were planted as a border to veg patch? Happy to keep them if they serve a useful purpose, but really. have definitely had more than enough gooseberries for this year. And, before anyone suggests I share them with neighbours, I don't have any - could maybe set up a jam stall on the local market though. Did find a lovely recipe for gooseberry chutney - that is lovely but really 6 bushes.....