Gooseberry

Gooseberry (Ribes spp.) is a small spiny bush in the family Rosaceae which is grown for its edible fruit of the same name. The gooseberry bush is a spiny shrub with deeply lobed, dark green leaves and produce bell shaped flowers and green/yellow to red berries approximately 1 inch long containg many tiny seeds. If managed properly, gooseberry bushes can be very long lived, growing to 0.9–3.0 m (3–10 ft) tall and up to 1.8 m (6 ft) wide and producing a crop of fruit each spring. The gooseberry has been derived mainly from two species, the European gooseberry Ribes grossularia, native to North Africa, and the American gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum), native to Northeast and central US and parts of Canada. The American gooseberry tends to be smaller than the species grown in Europe, with weeping stems that will rot easily if they are allowed to be in contact with the ground.


Gooseberries can be eaten fresh or used as an ingredient in other foods such as desserts, jams and preserves or drinks such as tea. The fruit can also be used as an ingredient for pickling. They are also used to flavor beverages such as sodas, flavored waters, or milk, and can be made into fruit wines and teas. They can be preserved in the forms of jams or dried fruit.


Basic requirements Gooseberries grow best in cool, moist locations and can be damaged by intense summer heat. Gooseberry can be grown in partial shade but it is essential that the plants have a good air circulation around them to help prevent the development of disease. Gooseberry has a chilling requirement of between 1000 to 1200 hours between 1.7 and 7.2°C (35–45°F) to break dormancy. Plants can tolerate cold and light frosts but temperatures below -2°C (28°F) can cause damage to the flower buds. Gooseberries can be grown successfully in a range of soils but perform optimally in well-draining sandy loams which are rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Propagation Gooseberry plants can be planted as rooted plants obtained from a nursery or from cuttings from established plants. Cuttings should be taken in winter or early spring when the plant is dormant. Cuttings should be 15–20 cm (6–8 in) in length and taken from the previous years growth. The cuttings should be stored in sand or peat moss in a refrigerator or other cold location until early spring. Planting Gooseberry plants and cuttings should be planted out in early spring. Plants obtained from a nursery should have a strong root system. Remove any damaged roots prior to planting and cut the stems back so that they are between 15 and 25 cm (6–10 in) depending on the size of the root system. Plant the gooseberries in prepared soil a little deeper than they were in the nursery and gently tamp the soil around the plants. Spacing depends on the variety being grown but generally gooseberries should be spaced 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) apart, allowing 2.4–3.0 m (8–10 ft) between rows. Closer spacings can be used if a hedgerow is desired. Cuttings should be similarly spaced. The tips of the cuttings can be dipped in rooting hormone prior to planting to encourage root development. Pruning Gooseberries should be pruned in the winter while dormant. Damaged or drooping canes should be removed as well as any which shade the center of the plant. After the first year of growth, the plant should be cut to leave 6 to 8 vigorous canes. After the second growing season all but 4 or 5 one year old shoots and 3 or 4 two year old canes should be removed. after the third growing season, retain 3–4 each of 1-, 2- and 3- year old wood. After the fourth growing season, all of the four year old wood should be removed and the plants should be pruned annually following the directions for after the third growing season.


Bratsch, A. Speciality Crop Profile: Ribes (Currants and Gooseberries). Virginia Cooperative Extension. Available at: https://pubs.ext.vt.edu/438/438-107/438-107_pdf.pdf. [Accessed 11 December 14]. Free to access Roper, T. R., Mahr, D. L. & McManus, P. L. (1998). Growing currants, gooseberries and elderberries in Wisconsin. University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension. Available at: http://learningstore.uwex.edu/assets/pdfs/A1960.PDF. [Accessed 11 December 14]. Free to access