Gooseberries are one of several types of small fruit in the New Mills Community Orchard. This article will provide sources that describe how to care for the plants, as well as giving some ideas on how to use the fruit.

Gooseberries are among the earliest of the soft fruits to ripen. While the fruit looks very different, gooseberries are related to blackcurrants and redcurrants.

Our gooseberries are grown as bushes, although other methods such as a cordon are also used. The New Mills Community Orchard has several Hinnonmaki varieties (Red, Green, and Yellow).

Gooseberries have quite a history in England, especially in our region. The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show in North Yorkshire is the oldest surviving gooseberry show in the country (over 200 years old). The Allostock Gooseberry Society in Knutsford, Cheshire, also has a show, with a write-up of the 2009 show appearing in the local press.

Care and Cultivation

The plants are covered in sharp thorns, so wear gloves when handling gooseberry bushes. Gooseberry fruits on old wood, and not on this year’s growth.

There seems to be some controversy about when to prune. Some authors recommend November, while others say early spring. Gooseberry pruning is similar to pruning apples: remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches, and aim for an open goblet shape bush. Finally, trim the top 1/3 of new growth from the branches, leaving each branch with an outward facing bud.

Care and Cultivation Links

• BBC Gardening Guide to Growing Gooseberries
• Gardening Master Class - Gooseberry growing tips from a champion

Gooseberry Recipes

According to Eat the Seasons, the gooseberry season falls into two parts: early season small green cooking gooseberries, and later season dessert gooseberries.

Recipes include:

• Gooseberry crumble
• Gooseberry pie
• Gooseberry compote
• Green Gooseberry and Elderflower Compote

Please note that we haven’t tried these recipes ourselves, so we can’t vouch for them. If you have any recipes of your own, please let us know.

Also, please be aware that if you pick and eat fruit that isn’t ripe, it may cause illness and may also damage the plant. We recommend making yourself aware of how each fruit matures, and how to use it properly and safely before you eat it. Some fruit is best cooked before eating. All fruit should be washed before use.

Posted by Carol ::