Winter pruning new Gooseberries?

[Snailfox]

I planted some bareroot Gooseberry plants back in November/December time, and theres some information on the RHS website that says now is the time of year to prune gooseberries. I was just wondering if that is a good idea if they are newly planted? They're both a foot/foot and a half in height, and I'm feeling pretty clueless.

[rustylady]

Well, I wouldn't prune them. Give them this year to settle in and make some growth and next winter you can decide what needs pruning.

[Aberdeenplotter]

According to Harry Baker, the author of the RHS publication "Fruit", you should have pruned your bushes immediately after they were planted. There are usually copies of the Book ISBN 0 85533 193 3 on Amazon for a couple of pence plus postage of 2-3 quid.. I wouldn't be without my copy which has excellent diagrams showing how to prune each kind of fruit bush and I highly recommend it. If you do prune now, which I would certainly do, make a slit in the ground with your spade and pop the prunings in. This time next year, you will have new bushes

[Snailfox]

Thanks for the advice guys, much appreciated.

[mothhawk]

According to Harry Baker, the author of the RHS publication "Fruit", you should have pruned your bushes immediately after they were planted. There are usually copies of the Book ISBN 0 85533 193 3 on Amazon for a couple of pence plus postage of 2-3 quid.. I wouldn't be without my copy which has excellent diagrams showing how to prune each kind of fruit bush and I highly recommend it.

Thanks for this book ref AP. I've just ordered one from Amazon - I've started growing some soft fruits and now have a couple of apples in pots too, so a good pruning guide with diagrams is just what I need.

[Aberdeenplotter]

MH, it's my soft fruit bible. I hope you are equally as impressed as I have been

[datz]

Thanks for the tip about the Fruit book. Mine has just arrived and is going to be indispensable. It also has a month by month to do list which is ideal.

[sparrow100]

thanks for the book recommend - mine is on its way too. I find pruning very confusing, so I haven't. So far.