Gooseberry question

[stevie77]

We have 6 gooseberries in a fruit cage that are doing well but we are constantly having to clear the weeds between them. It took us all morning today.
could we put black plastic around the plants or is there anything else you could suggest we try?
thanks Steve

[stevie77]

[Kea]

I put newspaper down and straw over that...clear it away over autumn and compost it then replace.

[valmarg]

I would have thought the black weed suppressant membrane would be better.  It allows rainwater to pass through, whereas with black plastic the rainwater would run off.

valmarg

[jjt]

Grass cuttings work for me, piled on thick. As mentioned, clear off in autumn.

[manicscousers]

we put cardboard down, covered with grass clippings. worked a treat  :)

[Robert_Brenchley]

I put newspaper down and straw over that...clear it away over autumn and compost it then replace.

Why bother clearing it? Add another layer of straw and let the worms deal with it.

[saddad]

Might help keep down sawfly... if they overwinter in the soil...  :-\

[valmarg]

Yes, but at the first sign of gooseberry sawfly, you throw a few peanuts/sunflower hearts under the bush.  Personal experience has shown that the sawfly don't last long.  The adult bird population is desperate for 'natural' feed for their chicks.  Soon clears the sawfly. ;D ;D

valmarg

[betula]

Good tip :)

[Kea]

Yes remove the straw to get rid of the pests. No sawfly this year...touchwood...really bad last year. One bush of gooseberries lost to two legged predator overnight.
Good tip Valmarg, thanks :)