Neglected fruit bushes

[kibob]

Hi all

I have "inherited" some very neglected fruit bushes (gooseberry, redcurrant and blackcurrant). Thing is they have not been tended to for, I would think, at least 10 years. They are smothered with brambles and very difficult to get to.

Where do I start, or is it not worth it and more practical to get rid and plant new?

[Capsid]

I'd try and revive them, if they are quite large then you will get more fruit off them than a newly bought bush as they are well established and the fruit grows on old wood.

I presume you want to clear the brambles anyway so you may as well see what the bushes are like. Unless they look dead and there is no sign of fruit then I'd have a go at reviving them. The key is in the pruning. In July, prune to an open goblet shape with 8-10 main branches (red and black currants).

Gooseberries require a bit more pruning in July with the laterals (current season's growth) cut back to 5 leaves. In winter, cut bacl the leaders by one half to a bud facing the required direction (upwards or outwards).

[Gardenwitch]

Oh thanks for this I too have inheritated some gooseberry bushes that are WAY overgrown with grasses, brambles and general weeds. Gonna have a go at getting them out later today, I even found a small silver snake on my lotty yesterday- EW!

[lynda66]

if you aren't bothered about them fruiting this year, i would cut them all down to just about ground level, so you can clear the patch and they will grow up again how you want them to this year, so you can train them, and next year you will get a good crop

[kibob]

Thanks everyone for your replies. They are still living but the brambles are incredibly thick and I really think it will be impossible to clear them. So I think I will go with Lynda66's suggestion and chop right back and look forward to a crop next year.

Thanks again.

[shushkin!]

I had to do the same thing a few years back but they did not really do that much
until I had heavily mulched with rich manure/compost as the soil was worn out with
all the weeds and brambles.
Did you find a slow worm then Gardenwitch?. How lucky are you.
I think they are amazing creatures.

[Gardenwitch]

Did you find a slow worm then Gardenwitch?. How lucky are you.
I think they are amazing creatures.[/QUOTE]

Is THAT what that was?! Good to know as I've never seen one before; I just know Snakey looking things creep me out! lol Are they good then? They don't hurt you do they? Can u tell I'm NOT from the UK originally lol

[Sue]

Hi
Do check the blackcurrants don't have big bud mite. You will see this as fat dried buds very different to the normal ones. Get rid of them by burning or off-site disposal.
I found blackcurrants under the brambles and had the above, laboriously dug them out, got new ones and blow me, big bud mite again. I've now read that you can "catch it" from overgrown and neglected bushes on the allotment which is a bit of a blow and cross-making too.
I've taken off the affected buds and will hope I can keep them going for a few years yet.
Sue

[rogesse]

Great advice - my son 'inherited' a gooseberry bush for me last year (on derelict plot about to be rotovated by council). It is very leafy but god knows how old so I'll have to wait and see...

Definately sounds like a slow worm (if 'silver' without defined black under belly/gold upper - probably a boy). We were given one last year by a neighbour who was clearing out his timber yard and thought it was a snake.

[Creemteez]

Is THAT what that was?! Good to know as I've never seen one before; I just know Snakey looking things creep me out! lol Are they good then? They don't hurt you do they? Can u tell I'm NOT from the UK originally lol[/QUOTE]

Slowworms are actually legless lizards. They are completely harmless, rather beautiful (check out thier come-to-bed-eyes!) and a real boon to the veggie grower with their taste for slugs etc.
If you've got one, lucky you! try to keep a patch of your lottie/garden in a wilder state to provide a habitat for them!

[Gardenwitch]

Slowworms are actually legless lizards. They are completely harmless, and a real boon to the veggie grower with their taste for slugs etc.
If you've got one, lucky you! try to keep a patch of your lottie/garden in a wilder state to provide a habitat for them![/QUOTE]

Oooo Sounds great then, anything that will eat the slugs I welcome with a happy heart Right now its living in a derilict area of my patch looks quite comfy actually lol. There was no black on it, just all silvery color; like a really REALLY fat worm- so sounds like this one a boy then Thank you for the clarification.