{"id":2491,"date":"2019-06-12T07:38:09","date_gmt":"2019-06-12T07:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/?p=2491"},"modified":"2020-01-22T09:42:25","modified_gmt":"2020-01-22T09:42:25","slug":"14-gardening-tricks-on-growing-your-own-gooseberries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gardener.guide\/14-gardening-tricks-on-growing-your-own-gooseberries\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Gardening Tricks on Growing Your Own Gooseberries"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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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.
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They\u2019re 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.
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They\u2019re 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.
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Here are 8 great gardening tricks on growing your own gooseberries.
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1. Optimal Soil Conditions<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Soil conditions are one of the most important things for a gardener to get right no matter what they\u2019re planting, and it\u2019s 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.
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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\u2019ve worked it through, remove any stems, stalks or dead plant material from the soil \u2013 then, work in a layer or two of compost.
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In order for gooseberries to grow happily, they need a pH measurement of between 6.0 to 6.5. Simply, they don\u2019t like acidic soil and won\u2019t 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.
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2. Composting Needs<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Composting is something that shouldn\u2019t just be done in the early phases of the plant, but throughout its growth.
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Happy gooseberry plants that are protected from wind, weather and harsh conditions can last more than one year of growth, and it\u2019s a mistake for many gardeners in colder areas to think that their gooseberry plant will only bear fruit for one season \u2013 it can and will last if protected right.
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After the first composting, you can continue to fertilize the soil around your gooseberry plants at least once per year, nearing towards late fall as the best time to do it. Measure the pH of the soil after you\u2019ve done this to make sure that it\u2019s still within the optimal range for the plant.
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If you\u2019re using store-bought fertilizer to tend to your plants, remember to dilute according to the instructions or you take the risk of burning your plants \u2013 a common first-time gardener mistake.
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3. Selecting a Plant<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Selecting a plant that\u2019s suitable for planting is the first thing a gardener should do once they\u2019ve prepared the conditions for the planting phase. Most nurseries and online stores are happy to help out if you have any questions, although ideally, gardeners who want to have a fruitful gooseberry tree should look for trees that are at least two years old \u2013 if not, the bushes you put into the ground are going to have a lot of catching up to do, and more than most gardeners are willing to wait for.
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There are two main types of gooseberries, either European or American varieties, but gardeners are lucky because both of these tend to prefer more or less the same conditions: Enough sun, draining soil and not all that much exposure to the cold are ideal growing conditions for both.
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Once you\u2019ve chosen a plant, then you should decide whether to plant it in pots or directly into the soil. Both are fine, but potted ones do better in colder areas.
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4. Companion Planting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Companion planting is an important thing for new and first-time gardeners to learn, and it can help you a great deal when you\u2019re still in the planning phase to decide just what you\u2019d like to plant around your gooseberries first.
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Gooseberries aren\u2019t all that difficult when it comes to selecting companion plants for it. Ideally, plant them together with other varieties that are part of the nightshade family, such as tomatoes or potatoes \u2013 they also tend to grow happily with some types of berry plants like strawberries that prefer more or less the same soil conditions.
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For companion planting further away from gooseberries, some people even like to plant things like mint in order to ward off any insects that might become a problem.
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Bad things to plant with gooseberries include anything that can take over in terms of either space or sunlight \u2013 you don\u2019t want to put gooseberries in too much shade because of a larger tree or bush that\u2019s growing next to it.
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5. Planting in Cold<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a common myth that you can\u2019t grow gooseberries in colder climates, and many gardeners are surprised to find out that gooseberries are more than just an annual plant \u2013 the reason many gooseberry plants will die off after the first year is simply cold, and they can last for years beyond this if they are protected against the cold at the right time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n


If you live in a colder area and would still like to plant gooseberries, then a lot of the time it can be easier to start the growth in pots rather than in the soil. Pots can be moved during the months where the cold might become too much for the plant to handle, and they can usually be happily transplanted from pots if you later choose to do it.
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When gooseberries are in the ground instead, netting can sometimes help to give them the needed protection against harsh cold and frost.
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6. Planting in Pots<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s a lot more to be said for planting gooseberries in pots, and they can be kept alive for years happily in pots just as well as they would thrive in the ground. In fact, they do so well in pots that there are many gardeners who never transplant their gooseberries out of them.
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When selecting pots for your gooseberry plants, make sure that they have enough room and depth to accommodate the roots \u2013 not just at the size they are when you plant your gooseberry plant, but at the size they\u2019re going to be later.
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Mix some compost into the soil and test the pH to make sure that you\u2019ve created the right conditions for the plant to thrive, and add some bark to the mixture to aid in drainage. Also, make sure the pot has holes \u2013 yes, it\u2019s a common mistake for new gardeners to plant and only realize the lack of holes when you check.
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7. Protecting from Pests<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gooseberries aren\u2019t fussy to grow, but this doesn\u2019t mean they are effortless \u2013 any gardener still has to keep assessing the condition of their plants, and especially check for pests. The best way in which you can protect your gooseberries from pests is by making an all-natural home bug spray from either tobacco, mint or coffee grounds \u2013 this has absolutely no negative effects for the plant itself, but it will keep the majority of pests away that might come to feast on your harvest.
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Birds also have a special love for gooseberries, and you might need netting to protect the harvest if you would like to have any of it for yourself. Additionally, remember that birds can spread the seeds all over your garden, where new seedlings can quickly start to emerge in places where you don\u2019t want them growing \u2013 check your garden for this regularly, and weed out anything that shouldn\u2019t be there.
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8. Harvesting and Storing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Harvesting is the part of gardening that every gardener waits for, and harvesting gooseberries is especially satisfying just because there are a thousand different things that you can do with a good harvest. From preserves and jams through to great desserts, they can be turned into many different dishes and ingredients that can last for months on the shelf.
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More than this, gooseberries are also great when they\u2019re frozen and in this state, they can keep well in the freezer for months at a time until you\u2019re ready to turn them into any of the above.
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When harvesting, also remember that this is the perfect time to trim away any dead leaves or longer stalks. This leaves more essential energy for the plant to make it to the next harvest.
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If you planted your gooseberries in pots, now is also the perfect time to move the plant back to new sunlight.
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