Bob Hobden wrote:
"Ian B" wrote

I planted a small gooseberry bush last year and this year it appears
to have some gooseberries on it. Not many, but a few. How do I know
when I can pick them? That is, when they are ripe? They are green
and not hairy and don't look like they will change colour or
anything.
Usually the green variety take on a slight yellowy appearance when
ripe, certainly if you try one and they are bitter they are not ripe.
BTW, there may be more than you realise. The first time we grew
goosegogs we picked all we could see and a month later noticed as
many again right underneath the plants and they were so sweet, made
lovely gooseberry ice cream.

Another question whcih has occurred to me: is anything likely to eat my
prize gooseberries? I mean, other than me. Birds, or insects?

Also there are some confusing instructions on the tab thing about pruning,
but no explanation of when it should be pruned. Any advice? It's a
"hinnonmaki green" and it would currently fit snugly into a 2 foot cube. Or
sphere.


Ian