Steven M

You know gooseberries are ready to pick when they give slightly to a gentle squeeze and have deepened in color from their hard, green early stage.   That’s the short answer, but there’s a bit more to it if you want the best flavor from your gooseberry bushes.   If you’ve been staring at your … Read more

You know gooseberries are ripe when they feel firm but give slightly to a gentle squeeze and have deepened in color from hard and green to a softer, translucent shade.   If you’ve been wondering how do you know gooseberries are ripe, the answer often depends on whether you’re growing dessert varieties or cooking types. … Read more

You can grow gooseberries pretty easily once you know what they need.   These hardy bushes produce tart, flavorful berries that are perfect for pies, jams, and fresh snacking.   If you’ve been wondering how do you grow gooseberries, the good news is they’re forgiving plants that reward you with fruit for years.   In … Read more

You can grow cape gooseberry by planting seeds indoors or buying young transplants and giving them plenty of sun, warm temperatures, and well-drained soil.   If you’ve been wondering how do you grow cape gooseberry, the good news is that this fruity little plant is surprisingly easy once you know what it likes.   Cape … Read more

How and When to Prune Gooseberry Bushes You should prune gooseberry bushes during their dormant season, ideally in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.   Learning how and when to prune gooseberry bushes is one of the best things you can do for their long-term health and fruit production.   A well-pruned … Read more

Pruning gooseberries is best done twice a year, once in winter while the plant is dormant and again in summer right after harvest.   If you’ve been wondering how and when to prune gooseberries, the good news is that it’s a straightforward job once you know the basics.   Getting the timing right keeps your … Read more

Yes, you should prune gooseberry bushes after fruiting.   Pruning gooseberry bushes after fruiting is one of the best things you can do for the health and productivity of your plant.   In fact, pruning gooseberry bushes right after fruiting helps the shrub recover, improves airflow, and sets you up for a bigger harvest next … Read more

You don’t actually need pectin for gooseberry jam because gooseberries are naturally rich in pectin, especially when you use slightly underripe fruit.   That’s the short answer, and it’s good news if you’re trying to make gooseberry jam without pectin or simply want a more traditional, old-fashioned jam.   If you’ve been asking yourself whether … Read more

Squirrels do eat gooseberries, and they’re actually pretty fond of them when they can get their paws on a ripe crop.   If you’ve been wondering “do squirrels eat gooseberries?” while watching your bushes get raided, you’re not imagining things.   These bushy-tailed foragers love gooseberries and will happily snack on the fruit, the buds, … Read more

Rabbits do eat gooseberry bushes, and they can be a tasty snack for them if they can get to them.   If you’ve been asking yourself “do rabbits eat gooseberry bushes?” while staring at nibbled stems in your garden, you’re not alone.   Rabbits love many garden plants, and gooseberry bushes happen to be on … Read more