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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: carolinej on June 08, 2007, 23:22:47

Title: Gooseberries.
Post by: carolinej on June 08, 2007, 23:22:47
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 :)
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: saddad on June 09, 2007, 09:05:35
They soften up when ripe.... for dessert use but if you are cooking with them you can use them now...
;D
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: carolinej on June 09, 2007, 16:08:17
Goody, gooseberry crumble for tea tomorrow then.

cj :)
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: sand on June 10, 2007, 01:00:30
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 >:(
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: dazem11 on June 10, 2007, 15:49:08
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??
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: cleo on June 10, 2007, 16:08:39
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.
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: Stevens706 on June 11, 2007, 12:23:19
Dazem 11 I’ve read that wilted comfrey leaves are good as a mulch for gooseberries 
Title: Re: Gooseberries.
Post by: gordonsveg on June 11, 2007, 14:04:19
 ;D ;D 8) 8) ::)  BEAT THE SAWFLY THIS YEAR just picked about 3lb of gooberries, best year yet.