On your fruit & veg plot
These thorny shrubs can produce more fruit if given a prune now
Gooseberries are not often at the top of our growing list, but they’re a reliable crop and are very tasty. Plus the fruits can be cooked in many ways, including jams and chutneys.
Gooseberry bushes are easy to grow and do well in most soil types. If pruned on a regular basis, the bush should be productive for up to 15 years, although many will carry on for longer.
Ideally, pruning is done twice a year, in summer and winter. The summer prune is to shorten the long new stems; the winter one is more thorough, to open up the bush, thin crowded stems and shorten sideshoots.
The aim is to establish a permanent framework of branches that is open in the centre to allow good air circulation. The fruit is produced on short sideshoots that grow from the older framework and these are shortened to produce fruiting spurs.
Occasionally, old branches can be removed if the bush is crowded; this will also encourage new growth to develop.
Gooseberries are thorny, so wear gloves!
STEP BY STEP
Repot blueberries
Blueberries are delicious, especially when picked straight from the plant
