Moving gooseberry bushes

[queen of the cobs]

Hi all,

I planted 3 gooseberry bushes a couple of years ago in a small bed on my allotment. I didn't quite realise how big they would grow, and th ey really are quite cramped.

Is it possible to move them to a larger space, do you think? And at what point in the year should I do it? I've harvested most of the fruit off it, just a bit left, the last small fruit, to ripen.

Thanks.

[rustylady]

Best time to move fruit bushes is when they're dormant, after all the leaves have fallen, in Autumn or early winter. Dig them up with as much root as possible and replant in your chosen place as soon as possible after lifting.

[queen of the cobs]

Thanks, I will do that in a few months then.

Any advice on pruning most welcome too - there was much sticking of fingers on the thorns and muttered swearing ... There has to be an easier way.

[rustylady]

Wear leather gloves

[Aberdeenplotter]

I looked on jealously at the goosies in my plot neighbours plot this aft. I threw them out a few years back because they were so prone to mildew. This year, I think the rains havewashed off the spores and he has a huge, mahoosive even crop. My own new bushes - Invicta - aren't producing anything like the same yield. So yes, they transplant just fine.

As for pruning, the idea is to prune out the centre of the bush so that you are left with a wine glass shape. With no centre in the bush , it means improved ventilation and less risk from the prickly bits.

[BUFFS]

well aberdeenplotter,i fond my invicta bushes didnt crop properly til the third year and even now with this years weather,we will have a bumper crop,they have started to get a sweeter taste now,trouble is that by the time i have finished testing for taste ,there wont be any left,you cant try just one.....well i cant...

[BUFFS]

mein fuhrer,OH, she decided to pick one gooseberry bush today, and we filled 14 smaller type ice cream tubs ,now in the freezer,with 5 more bushes i shall have to give some to neighbours and sell the rest to the local greengrocer ,well that should pay for next years seeds and there just might be enough for a pint or two before returning home,in about the same state with a real glut of raspberries.....more pints??????