Gooseberries are often underestimated in Polish gardens, which is a pity. This one is one of the easiest to grow. Apart from proper pruning, it does not require complicated care treatments and can reward you with sweet and numerous fruits.
We reveal when to prune gooseberries. The deadline is getting closer
Regularly cutting gooseberries is the key to their proper growth. Thanks to this, we not only shape the plant, but also stimulate new shoots to grow and at the same time prevent potential diseases. Moreover, pruning rejuvenates the bushes, which means that we will be able to enjoy numerous fruits in the following years. But when is the best time to do it? In the case of new seedlings, the right time is right after planting. However, in subsequent years this should take place before the beginning of vegetation, usually in the second half of March.
How to prune gooseberries in spring? Rules you need to remember
The cutting process depends on the age of the bush. In the first year after, you need to shorten all shoots by 2/3 of their length and leave 2-3 eyes. In this way, we will shape the plant appropriately and stimulate it to grow. We prune three-year-old bushes systematically. First, we remove the shoots that cross each other and grow sideways. Then we shorten the annual shoots by 1/3 of their length. Five years after planting, if the procedure was performed correctly, the bush should consist of 8 to even 10 strongly branched main shoots.
When to plant gooseberries? (illustrative photo) LoraLiu/istock
In the following years, rejuvenation cuts are mandatory, during which we must cut out half of the shoots – those that intersect or the oldest ones. Additionally, we remove all the weakest branches. Only young and one-year-olds should be left.
Source: Gazeta
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