Gooseberry

Gooseberries are easily grown and will thrive in most soil types. They are mainly grown in bush form. Planting 4 feet / 1.2 metres apart. A light dressing of potash will stimulate fruit growth.

Summer pruning helps keep the bush open and allows air to circulate reducing the risk of mildew.

Gooseberries are a good source of fibre and vitamins A and C.

Cooking.

Suitable for jam, jelly, pie filling, crumble, wine making or stewing.

Gooseberry Fool Recipe

Ingredients

1 lb (450g) Gooseberries

2 tablespoons Water

6-8 oz (175g-225g) Castor Sugar (to taste)

1/2 pint (275ml) Double Cream

Method

Top and tail the gooseberries and put them in a small thick saucepan with 2 tablespoons of water and some of the sugar. Cover with lid and place it over a low heat and let it stew very gently for 30 minutes until the gooseberries are soft. Beat them to a pulp with a wooden spoon, sweeten them thoroughly and sieve them. Whisk the cream until firm , fold in the fruit pulp and chill before serving.

Propagation

Gooseberries can be easily propagated from cuttings 8-12 inch / 20-30 cm long and inserted up to 6 inch / 15 cm in a trench containing a layer of sand in the base.

Pests

Gooseberry Sawfly - a serious pest which can cause complete defoliation of the bush. Spray once or twice in the season to get rid of the caterpillars.

American Mildew - a powdery mildew which later causes brown marks over the fruit. Spray before flowers open and repeat fortnightly.

Remove infected branches in September.

Others are greenfly, magpie moth, and birds.