How do you tell when gooseberries are ready?

[Bramble_killer]

While clearing an area in the garden, I found a gooseberry tree/bush!

It's got some fruit on it, when do I pick it?

Thanks

[Snadger]

While clearing an area in the garden, I found a gooseberry tree/bush!

It's got some fruit on it, when do I pick it?

Thanks

When they ripen they get quite sweet. If the berries are still 'tart' they aint ripe!

[Alan Farmer]

Depends what you are going to use them for. If its cooking or jam making then pick them while still tart. If you want to eat them as a dessert fruit then wait till they go yellower, and keep trying or tasting them. There are lots of varieties and there are lots of differences. Alan

[valmarg]

And if you want to leave them until they are sweet, the best indicator that they are ripe is when the blackbirds start eating them.

valmarg

[teakdesk]

And if you want to leave them until they are sweet, the best indicator that they are ripe is when the blackbirds start eating them.

valmarg

I think you mean...

And if you want to leave them until they are sweet, the best indicator that they were ready to be picked is when the birds have stripped all the fruit off them!!!


I'd suggest netting them as soon as possible!



PS: some varieties go red when they are sweet.