Gooseberry

Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) is a thorny bush bearing tart-to-sweet berries; some varieties are good for eating fresh, while others taste best cooked.

Gooseberries can be stewed for crumbles and fools. A fool is a classic English dessert where the berries are stewed and then added to whipped cream, Greek yoghurt, or custard. They can also be made into sauces to go with oily fish, a classic pairing.

It is best planted in a sunny spot, but it also tolerates part shade. Place the bushes at least 1.2 to 1.5 metres apart to allow for plenty of growing space.

Plant it as a bare-root bush in winter as it is dormant at this time until early spring.

You can harvest the berries from June to August, depending on variety and use.

Our planting guides are designed to help you get the best from your fruit, vegetables, and herbs. Every garden is unique, so growing conditions, weather, soil, and climate can affect results. Use this information as a helpful guide, and adapt it to suit your local conditions and gardening experience. Happy growing!