![]() The less ripe the berry is, the more pectin it has, so mixing ripe and underripe berries is good for jams and jellies. They'll easily last for one to two weeks in the refrigerator, or you can freeze them for longer storage. Gooseberries stay fresh longer than raspberries and strawberries, so you have plenty of time to enjoy them. The fruit is high in fiber and a good source of vitamins C and K. Remove the stem and blossom “tail” before eating. This makes them a great choice for making jams and jellies.įor fresh eating, allow the fruits to ripen completely for full flavor and sweetness. ![]() The berries have a tart, juicy flesh that is somewhat similar to a grape, but more acidic. They also tend to have a firmer texture, and are loaded with pectin. What do gooseberries taste like, and how do you use them? Even the thorns don't slow down the browsers.įence or net your plants as needed for protection. Nearly all rodents, deer, rabbits, squirrels and birds will eat the fruit and/or plant material. Wildlife finds the gooseberry plant and berries just as good as humans do. Remove weeds as needed to reduce competition. This will give the gooseberries plenty of nutrients for fresh growth. Good airflow is critical for avoiding diseases like powdery mildew, which can be a serious problem for gooseberry plants.Īfter pruning, pull back the mulch and top dress with compost, and then refresh the mulch. When you are done, a healthy mature gooseberry shrub should have 9 to 12 canes. Pruning the plants promotes healthy growth, improves fruit production and maintains plant health. In February or March, prune shoots and leaders that are damaged or older than 3 years Fruit will bear on the 2 or 3 year old shoots. Avoid overwatering when the fruit gets close to ripeness, as it can wash out the flavor of the fruit. The soil should be moist, but not waterlogged. Gooseberries have shallow roots, so they benefit from mulch and regular watering. It is okay to plant in cold soil, and better to get the plants in early than late. Bareroot plants benefit from soaking the roots for 3-4 hours before planting so they are well hydrated. When planting, prune the plant back to 4 to 6 aboveground buds. Work some compost into the soil, and nestle the plant in about one inch deeper than it was growing. Choose a variety suited to your hardiness zone and your desired use. Smother weeds or grass with mulch to reduce competition for your gooseberry plant. If you can, get your planting location ready in autumn before planting in spring. See “ State by State Legality of Gooseberry“. Some states ban gooseberries and other ribes plants because they can harbor the white pine blister rust disease. Make sure it's legal to plant gooseberry in your state. This harvest from our yard contains a mix of berries and cherries including pink gooseberries, blueberries, juneberries, tart cherries, red currants, and mulberries. Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica).Chinese gooseberry (also known as Kiwi) (Actinidia spp.).Other plants with the common name “gooseberry” include: Jostaberries are a cross between black currant, North American coastal black gooseberry, and the European gooseberry. Gooseberries are related to jostaberries (Ribes × nidigrolaria) and currants. The plants bloom with small, pink or white flowers in the spring followed by red, pink, green or yellow edible fruit that ripens in late June or July depending on your season and USDA Zone. These gooseberries are thorny plants that vary in size from 3ft to 5ft tall and 3ft to 6ft wide. The European types tend to have larger fruit, but the plants aren't as tough. ![]() European gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) hail from the Caucasus Mountains (between Europe and Asia) and North Africa.Īmerican varieties tend to have smaller fruit and be more resistant to powdery mildew and rust. In this article, we're talking about the genus ribes, specifically American and European gooseberries.Īmerican gooseberries (Ribes hirtellum) are native to North America, and found in the northeastern and north-central United States and nearby areas of Canada. The term “gooseberry” is used for a variety of fruits. (None of them have prickers on the berries.) Every time I pick some berries I'm reminded of grandma. (Grandma's berries had a prickly surface.)įast forward to our current homestead, where we have an several varieties of gooseberries mixed in the orchard. When the deep red berries were ripe, I'd go out and carefully pick them and pull off the blossom end to suck out the contents of the berry. When I was a little girl, my grandmother had a tough little gooseberry bush growing next to an old granary.
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