The Poultry Keeper

minstrelmerrymaker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 227 Location: ISLE OF WIGHT

i planted a gooseberry bush last year, and currently have a bumber crop and the fruit look a fair size but i thought you needed to pick them later in the year, anyone know when i am supposed to pick, i dont want to leave it to find that the fruit has gone too far to pick,
any suggestions welcome Very Happy

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1312 Location: Manchester

pick one and try it and see what it's like, if it's nice then pick them now Smile

I know nothing of these matters but that's what I'd do

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1351 Location: Leicestershire

I think it's a tad early yet. . . .but you could just try them now and see, but a useful thing to remember is if you pick the big ones and leave the smaller ones, they will get bigger, but don't leave them too long. If they are a green variety they get paler as they ripen.

Itsybitsy

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1825 Location: norfolk

If they are rock hard they are under ripe - should have a bit of "give" to them.

minstrelmerrymaker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 227 Location: ISLE OF WIGHT

Thanks everyone, i have picked the bigger ones and they are ripe so i have a total of 7 gooseberries, hardly enough for a crumble, do i just put them in the freezer and then add to them as the rest ripen?

Itsybitsy · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 1351 Location: Leicestershire

Yes. . . . top and tail them and wash & dry, then you can either freeze on trays to keep them free flow, or just bag them.

I don't freeze fruit like this anymore - I used to, but now anything like gooseberries, rhubarb, plums etc that are going to be cooked, I cook them and bottle in large jam jars, the lids, if they are not bent or damaged will reseal so it means I have ready cooked fruit and all I have to do is open a jar.

But I don't have a jar small enough for 7 gooseberries Laughing

Itsybitsy

NannyP · Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

I have a jar Very Happy

, it's an empty Colemans Mustard Jar.......send me the goosberries Very Happy

Bradders · Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:29 am Post subject:

Auntie Katie's got a Gooseberry bush and the gooseberries are almost ready Very Happy

minstrelmerrymaker · Joined: 08 Mar 2008 Posts: 227 Location: ISLE OF WIGHT

sorry people you will have to save your jars all seven gooseberries now eaten! Very Happy

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1110 Location: Dublin, Ireland

I just bought a gooseberry bush yesterday, will I have to wait until next year for fruit??

I hope to plant in a container, will it be ok?

Gooseberry virgin here, any help appreciated???

kated · Joined: 01 Nov 2006 Posts: 1825 Location: norfolk

Yes, I think you will have to wait now. Gooseberries are early fruit, usually come very late May and into June. Dessert ones are edible end of June and into July - if the blackbirds let you have any! If it has to be in a container then make sure it's well fed - seem to remember they are quite greedy feeders. Is yours mildew resistant? That's what did for mine Sad

EGirl · Joined: 01 Nov 2007 Posts: 1110 Location: Dublin, Ireland

No idea, Kated, but I'll feed with tomato feed and repot with fresh compost next spring, oh, and move it away from the chooks. Thanks

jessjess · Joined: 28 May 2008 Posts: 218 Location: Derbyshire

[quote I hope to plant in a container, will it be ok?]

I have three bushes in containers just make sure they are fed and watered and they will be fine. [/quote]

Not sure how you do that quote thing!!