Have a couple of gooseberry plants I got cheap in Lidl a couple of year ago. They are producing loads of fruit for the first time and it turns out they are pink, and delicious raw and the plants look set to take over the garden. I am well pleased.
When is the best time to take cuttings? I want some more.
October-November is the time to take cuttings. Mine layer themselves, which is even easier
layering is easy, just pin the bottom branches down either on the soil or in a pot of soil ( sunk in the garden) and with bent wire or a stone to hold it down it will root. Do it after you have harvested and will have rooted by autum.
i use the sharpsand and slit method - old fashioned - minimal effort etc
Gooseberries - September
insert spade deep into soil - wiggle it about to leave v shaped slit - fill brim full with sharp sand - insert the prepared cutting material firm in with the heel - water and then let nature take its course - works for most things!
I try at end of summer and this article agrees
http://www.garden-centre.org/Gooseberries%20propagation.htm
Many thanks. Sorry did not get back before had problem.
I will give both methods a try. I use the layering for red currants, they do it themselves. It will be quite easy to pin down a few branches.
In 2006 I planted a Poundland gooseberry barerooted bush, and pruned a few branches off to make a good shape. Stuck the prunings in the ground by the path....and now have 7 bushes! All fruiting brilliantly now.