Gooseberries are one of the most popularly cultivated types of berries there are, and they can be found in gardens throughout the world. There are considered to be two main types of gooseberry plants (classed as either American or European by their common names) and these plants will both grow happily under the right conditions.
They’re a very popular choice for gardeners who would like to add something both colorful and tasty to their gardens, especially due to the fact that there are a thousand different things that can be done with gooseberries after the harvest, including making a range of jams, preserves or desserts from the berry.
They’re best planted in early spring, and they can grow just as happily in pots as they can directly in the ground, which makes them ideal even for colder areas when grown in pots.
Here are 8 great gardening tricks on growing your own gooseberries.
1. Optimal Soil Conditions
Soil conditions are one of the most important things for a gardener to get right no matter what they’re planting, and it’s the one part of the planting process that can start a few weeks before you even intend to stick the first plant into the ground.
Start off preparing the soil by loosening it with a garden fork; in areas with drier or hardener soil it can be watered before you do this in order to make it easier. Once you’ve worked it through, remove any stems, stalks or dead plant material from the soil – then, work in a layer or two of compost.
In order for gooseberries to grow happily, they need a pH measurement of between 6.0 to 6.5. Simply, they don’t like acidic soil and won’t thrive in it. Mixing in compost is one way in which you can bring down the acidity levels of the soil to where you need it.