Collection: Gooseberry Bushes and Plants

Bare root gooseberry plants should be planted between November and March while they’re dormant. You can plant potted gooseberries at any time of year providing the soil isn’t waterlogged or frozen. You’ll find more advice in our growers’ guide.

Gooseberries prefer well-drained fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5, but they’re happy in most garden soils. If your soil is a bit on the dry or heavy side, mix in some compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Gooseberries will grow in partial shade, but they’re most productive in full sun, where they’ll receive at least six hours of daylight.

If you’re planting more than one gooseberry, space them about 1.2-1.5m apart to allow for good air circulation and to prevent moulds.

Gooseberries like a consistently moist soil, so water them regularly, especially during hot or dry weather. It’s best to water them at the base of the plant to avoid splashing the leaves, which can encourage diseases.

Prune your gooseberry bush in late winter or early spring, before it starts to put on new growth. Trim out any dead or damaged wood and thin out the centre of the plant to encourage air circulation. The ideal shape is a goblet, which will allow sunlight to reach every part of the plant. For more pruning tips, see our growers’ guide.

Gooseberry bushes fruit between June and July, depending on which variety you have and your growing conditions.

When your gooseberries are firm and fully-coloured, they’re ready to pick. For cooking purposes you can pick them slightly underripe, but for eating varieties you should wait until they’re fully ripe. You can pick them by hand or use scissors.

Gooseberries are a great choice for container growing. Choose a large pot at least 45cm wide and deep, with drainage holes in the bottom and use a good potting compost. Plants in pots will need more regular watering and feeding than those in the ground.

To feed your gooseberry plant, use a general purpose plant food in early spring and give it a layer of mulch at the same time to keep moisture and nutrients in the soil. Avoid fertilisers with a high nitrogen content, as they encourage leafy growth at the expense of fruit.

Most gooseberry varieties are self-fertile and will produce a good crop from just one plant. If you do plant more than one though, they will cross pollinate and each plant will produce a bigger harvest.