Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 13,889 times. For a complete background on how to grow gooseberry plants, we recommend starting from the beginning. Plant new bushes in November or March if the soil is very heavy. Diseased wood is marked by broken bark and rough, raised areas. When done properly, pruning a gooseberry plant will keep the plant healthy and encourage the growth of more fruit! SUMMER PRUNING CURRANTS. Read about how to grow Gooseberry, its health benefits, and the historical background of the Gooseberry fruit at Burpee Seeds. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Gooseberry bushes need to be pruned annually between late autumn and late winter when gooseberries are dormant. Professional trimming of gooseberries To support yield and fruit size, we recommend annual pruning of gooseberry shrubs. It is best to prune just before the plants come out of dormancy which allows them to heal quickly with the vigourous new growth of Spring. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. The ideal time for planting gooseberries is in the autumn. Now look at … Bush plants: In early spring of the first year after planting, select five main stems and prune... Propagation. By using our site, you agree to our. Bushes fruit in June and/or July; Take cuttings in September, Prune cordon shoots in March but reshape and reinvigorate by pruning in winter. Each spring, prune away weak and crowding branches, leaving only several shoots from each year’s growth. This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. The goal of cutting back gooseberry bushes is to keep the center of the plant open to air and sunshine, prune out any dead or diseased branches and to shorten the growth of the plant to a manageable size and to facilitate harvest. I then follow my pruning list (taken from various books) and spur prune all side shoots by cutting them back to one to three buds from the base. My 84-year-old neighbour Kate used to entreat me to see her hydrangeas, large seedling avocado trees, and finally her prize gooseberries. Prune side shoots in summer so that they have just 5 leaves; in winter prune side shoots so that there are one or two buds facing outwards. This article has been viewed 8,909 times. Grapevines are exuberant climbers, so if you plant one for its fruit you will need … You could be putting too many chemicals in your tree or bush. Beware, an unpruned, tangled gooseberry bush is the perfect nesting place for pesky sawfly and caterpillars. One of the most important aspects of caring for a gooseberry plant is making sure to prune it twice a year. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Gooseberries, red and white currants tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but prefer a moist... Pruning and training. This video shows the pruning of three gooseberry plants grown as cordons. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, This article was co-authored by our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness. How to prune Gooseberry bushes and currant bushes. Pruning grape vines. Joan J – A good prickle-less cultivar, making handling for pruning and picking much more bearable. Older branches are thicker, darker in color, and may have slightly peeling bark. You may wish to delay pruning until after the buds open, because the thorny thicket of an unpruned bush will be more of a deterrent to birds that feed on buds. Gooseberry Calendar. This will also encourage the vertical and lateral growth of your plant. Pick a day when the weather’s going to be dry to reduce the risk of fungal infections. Gooseberries usually grow in a bush, although they can also be trained to grow against a wall or fence and commonly known as a gooseberry patch. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. If you use insecticide or fungicide on your gooseberry plant, be sure to rinse your berries thoroughly with warm water before eating them. Red currants and gooseberries are similar in their fruiting characteristics. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. You may wish to wear gloves to protect yourself from the plant’s vicious thorns! If you have a young gooseberry plant, you'll have to cut back a significant portion of growth at first. Remove any shoots leading to the center of the plant and shorten any crossing or downward-facing leaders to about 5 to 8 centimetres (2.0 to 3.1 in). Put netting over bushes to stop birds stripping all the fruit – make sure the net is pulled taut over a frame to prevent birds from becoming caught, but still check the net regularly. Varieties come in early, mid season and late (examples Early Sulphur, Gunner, Lancer) Polka – This is quite a tall cultivar at around 6 feet. Many people are nervous about the process so leave fruit unpruned which will result in progressively lower yields as the plant ages. Please consider making a contribution to wikiHow today. Regular pruning shears are sufficient for most gooseberry pruning, but you may need a pair of loppers for old wood and larger, mature branches. This is because the spines on an unpruned bush will help deter bullfinches who like to eat the buds. Arm yourself with sharp bypass secateurs, and some sturdy gloves if you’re pruning gooseberries, to protect your hands from their spines. Pruning should be done in winter or early spring when plants are dormant. Trim the side shoot to 2 buds if you want larger berries. By the third year after planting, the bush will have established its core framework with an even distribution of stems aged between 1 and 3 years. Neglect makes gooseberries very … Gooseberries, currants and elderberries produce new growth from underground crowns annually. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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