Gooseberry Bushes ?

[Mortality]

Looking for a gooseberry bush suitable for our back garden, the sites ive visited tend to have a few different types, any recomendations for type, taste, hardiness etc ?

[Mortality]

[annppayne]

When I got my allotment 6 years ago I put in two Gooseberry Bushes, both Leveller and I have been very pleased with the crop they produce.

Last year I picked some in June for Jams and Chutney (thinning out the fruit), then more in July when they were riper for desserts, and a further quantity in August when they were soft, sweet and had turned yellow.     In fact the two bushes produced so many I gave the rest away to my neighbouring lottie holder because I was tired of picking them as they are so prickly.   He gave me some Autumn Raspberry plants in exchange.

If I known at the time of planting what I know now, I would have ensured the plants had at least 8 inches main stem before branching out, this would have made picking and weeding very much easier.

I have two other types, Envicta and a Red Gooseberry, but I have grown these from cuttings and they are not yet mature enough to determine whether or not they are as prolific as Leveller.

I hope this helps.   Ann

[Geoff H]

Invicta is usually regarded as one of the best of the newer varieties. It is much heavier cropping than varieties such as Careless or Leveller. If you only have limited room then i would go for Invicta.

[Pesky Wabbit]

If John Cushnie was still alive, his recommendation was always Invicta and Lancashire Lad.

[jennym]

Have found that Invicta, and Whinham's Industry do well for me, no mildew, both hardy and tasty (early pickings for jams, later pickings for puddings)

[davholla]

Invicta is usually regarded as one of the best of the newer varieties. It is much heavier cropping than varieties such as Careless or Leveller. If you only have limited room then i would go for Invicta.

I have never grown Invicta but I know that Invicta from the shops is nowhere near as nice as Leveller or any Hinomaki type.   Leveller is a bit nicer than Hinomaki but is more work as it can have mildew.  Leveller and Hinomaki are so nice that when you pick them you can just eat them while you pick them - I always eat them raw.

Don't grow Invicta unless home grown invicta is a lot nicer than invicta from the shops.

[laurieuk]

Gooseberries grown as cordons produce a very good  crop in a small space and are so easy to pick. I used to do gooseberries and red currants as cordons , you can have them in a narrow space beside a path and you have no side shoot with thorns on to worry you.