How to Grow and Eat Gooseberries

In the mid-1800s, gooseberries were all the rage. British gardeners had created some 170 clubs centered around gooseberries, many with annual contests to see who could grow the largest, and like with any good contest, trophies were awarded. The berries back then were known to be the size of goose eggs.

Nowadays, the gooseberries’ greatest claim to fame is probably the little-known superfood, ALMA, an Indian incarnation of England’s once renowned garden gem. ALMA is known to help with diabetes, infections, stomach issues, and menstrual cramps, all while improving eyesight, hair, and calcium absorption.

Whatever the case, few of us have them in the garden anymore, and that perhaps is a shame.

What is a gooseberry?

Source: GrowVeg/Youtube

Well, the obvious answer is that it is a berry. To be more specific, it looks a little bit like a large grape: translucent skin, ovoid-spherical shape, and similar coloring. You can find them in greens, purplish-reds, whites, and yellows. Left to ripen, they do have a sweetness, but they are more readily characterized by their tartness. They can be eaten raw, but they are more prized for use in pies and jams.

Where do gooseberries grow?

Gooseberries, like most berries, aren’t all that particular about where they grow. They will produce better in full sun, but they’ll provide fruit under a little shade. They handle a huge swing of temperatures, surviving down to -40 in the winter and performing well up to about 90 degrees. Again, as with most berries, slightly acidic soil is the best bet, and good drainage helps a lot. They can be grown in the garden beds or in pots.

How to plant a gooseberry bush

Once a spot (or pot) is selected, the best time to plant a gooseberry is in the winter or early spring, when it is dormant. Being in place gives it less of a shock when it is time to get active again, as temperatures rise.

• Dig a large hole, two-by-two feet and about a foot deep. Though this space will likely far exceed what’s needed to get the plant in the ground, the extra effort loosens up the soil for the roots to spread out easily.
• Layer the bottom of the hole with organic compost, both for a bit of nutrient and drainage.
• If it’s bare root (not potted in soil), spread the roots out before burying them, or if it’s a potted seedling, be sure to break up the bottom of the soil if the plant is rootbound.
• The new soil should be at the same level on the stem as the old soil was. There will be a noticeable mark to help with this.
• Once it’s in the ground, water it well, and mulch it heavily.

Or, if the gooseberry bush is going in a pot, it should be at least 18 inches deep, and try going half and half with organic potting soil and organic compost. Growing in containers requires extra attention to keep the moisture level adequate but not overdone.

Caring for gooseberries

An established gooseberry plant is fairly low maintenance. It only needs a little water each week, so if it’s outside, the rain will probably take care of it. If it’s a particularly hot and/or dry time, it might be worth checking.

Providing a little fertilizer in the spring will help keep it productive, but too much nitrogen will backfire. A bit of organic compost and a sprinkle of wood ash works pretty well, or an organic tomato fertilizer can do the trick, too.

As with all plants and gardens, mulching with organic material, such as wood chips, leaves or pine needles, is extremely beneficial because it helps with maintaining moisture, adding nutrients, snuffing out weeds, and keeping the soil temperature moderated. Keep the mulch at between two and four inches thick.

Gooseberries will produce better if they are pruned. In the winter, on a dry day, cut the new growth back to just two new buds, and reduce the size of the leaders (the main branches) by about a third. The berries will grow on branches for three or four years, then the old branches need to go to make way for new growth and new berries.

How to eat gooseberries

Source: English Country Life/Youtube

Gooseberries can be eaten as they are picked, but they are generally cooked into sweet treats. Gooseberry crumble is a popular choice, as are gooseberry pie and gooseberry sorbet/ice cream. It also makes a dandy jam, particularly paired with elderberry, rhubarb, or other berries. Any of these treats will be wonderfully delicious and make having a plant very much a pleasure.

Note: Oddly, as I was writing this article, my wife received a letter from North Carolina Department of Agriculture notifying her that growing gooseberries is illegal in North Carolina because they get a disease that’s bad for native white pines. Sadly, we’ve had to remove our gooseberry bushes from the garden. So, be sure your state allows you to grow gooseberries before ordering them.

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