Topic: Gooseberries.

[carolinej]

I have never grown gooseberries before. How will I know when they are ready to pick? Some of them look big enough, but they are rock hard. Should I wait till they are a bit on the soft side?

Thanks

cj :)

[saddad]

They soften up when ripe.... for dessert use but if you are cooking with them you can use them now...
 ;D

[carolinej]

Goody, gooseberry crumble for tea tomorrow then.

cj :)

[sand]

The dreaded sawfly has returned to our gooseberry bushes, I shall be out tomorrow squishing again.

Managed to get on top of the first generation but this lot have sneaked up on me.

Grr >:(

[dazem11]

hi we planted our bush a good few months ago and have 2 berries growing so far,we check every day make sure its not been eaten.
Can i feed them with tomato fertilser??

[cleo]

Sand-my sympathy. I get my gooseberries from my neighbour who always has more than she needs-apart from one year when the sawfly grubs wiped them out.

Dazem 11-tomato fertiliser is OK but a bit expensive-any general purpose fertiliser will do and if you have any wood ash it would appreciate that.

[Stevens706]

Dazem 11 I’ve read that wilted comfrey leaves are good as a mulch for gooseberries 

[gordonsveg]

 ;D ;D 8) 8) ::)  BEAT THE SAWFLY THIS YEAR just picked about 3lb of gooberries, best year yet.