How to prune gooseberries in spring? Types and step-by-step instructions

The popularity of gooseberries among novice gardeners is due to its cold resistance, low maintenance requirements and relatively good yield. However, like any bush, it grows over time, which negatively affects fruiting and immunity. Therefore, pruning gooseberries for beginners is a question that must be studied before planting it in order to form a bush meaningfully, according to one of the schemes recommended for the plant. It is carried out regularly, in spring and autumn.

Why and how to prune gooseberries in spring?

With regular, proper spring care, gooseberry yields last 30-40 years. To maintain it, seasonal pruning of shoots is necessary. In 3-4 years, the bush produces 50-70 shoots, which absorb moisture and nutritional properties of soil fertilizers. As a result, the gooseberry gets sick and is more susceptible to pests, and the number of ripe berries on its branches decreases.

In early spring, before the first buds appear, visually inspect and determine which shoots have suffered from winter frosts. Remove damaged, old and diseased branches that reduce the yield of the bush. Also remove shoots that enlarge the gooseberry crown and thereby create favorable conditions for plant disease.

Pruning and rejuvenation of old gooseberry bushes

The process of proper rejuvenation of old gooseberry bushes is carried out over several years, because if this is done at the same time, the plant will most likely die. For such events, bushes that are heavily dense, unkempt or 9–10 years old are suitable.

Did you know? Translated from English, the word “gooseberry” means “goose berry”.

Clearing occurs according to the following scheme:

1. Carry out sanitary and thinning pruning early in the spring, removing dry, diseased, damaged branches growing inside the crown.
2. Shoots lying on the ground do not need to be cut off for propagation by cuttings.
3. Leave 8–10 of the strongest and healthiest shoots growing upward.
4. Cut the remaining branches completely to the root.
5. Every year, clean the plant of unnecessary branches.
6. It is recommended to fertilize old bushes in the summer to renew their strength.
7. If the deadline for pruning the crop in the spring is missed, this procedure should be postponed until the fall, even before the onset of cold weather.
8. It is advisable to use sharp, disinfected garden tools (secateurs, garden shears, garden saw).

If you adhere to the main rules for forming gooseberries immediately after planting a young plant in a permanent place, you can grow a beautiful, healthy bush that will delight the owner with a large harvest of tasty and ripe berries.

Reasons for spring pruning

Gooseberry cutting is an essential component of caring for a medicinal plant, which requires certain skills and abilities. There are several reasons for this, the most common ones are presented below:

• Productivity. With proper and timely pruning, the berries ripen faster, have a sweet taste, and have maximum beneficial properties. Overgrown bushes do not receive additional light, air and nutrients, so the fruits are sour, take longer to ripen, and are smaller in size.
• Improvement of the bush . Young shoots absorb all the moisture and nutrients, so the gooseberries gradually wither. The leaves turn pale, the plant looks worse, and the yield decreases.
• Beautiful crown . I would like the gooseberries to decorate the agricultural land, and not become a problem area on the site. To maintain decorativeness, it is better to get rid of old, diseased, dry and damaged branches.

It is better to prune the bush as soon as the last snow melts and the weather noticeably moves towards spring and warming. Simply put, wait until the frost stops.

Why do gooseberries need pruning?

Pruning is one of the main measures for caring for gooseberries, which guarantees a healthy, well-formed and well-bearing bush.

On an unkempt gooseberry there are few berries and they are small

There are several reasons why this procedure must be carried out:

1. Gooseberries are prone to growth; fresh shoots grow very quickly. The young shoots are actively developing and intertwining with each other. As a result, a cluster of thorny branches, impenetrable to light and air, is formed. In such dense and poorly ventilated thickets, all kinds of fungal diseases progress and various insect pests live. The bush becomes potentially dangerous for the entire garden.
2. Shoots affected by diseases or insects, as well as weakened, broken and frail shoots should be removed in a timely manner so that they do not needlessly take away the vital juices from healthy and strong shoots.
3. In a dense tangle of branches, pollination of flowers is difficult, so few ovaries are formed. Ridding the bush of excess branches and ensuring good ventilation of the crown makes the pollination process more efficient and accessible.
4. With a large number of branches, the berries turn out small and sour, since there is not enough food for everyone and the sun does not penetrate inside the bush. An overgrown bush bears fruit very weakly and then, over time, stops bearing fruit altogether.
5. Any shrub that has reached the age of 7–8 years needs to be rejuvenated, because there are already few fruits on old shoots. A full-fledged bush should have approximately an equal number of branches of different ages. This will ensure a stable harvest over a long period of time. Aged and weakly fruiting branches must be removed in a timely manner so that young replacement shoots can replace them. The most productive stems are considered to be about 3–6 years old.
6. Gradually, the shoots lengthen and, under their own weight, fall to the ground, where they begin to take root. The bush becomes too spreading and shapeless. Harvesting from it is extremely difficult, and sometimes even impossible, since some branches simply cannot be reached.

Gooseberry bushes need to be trimmed regularly

Even the most disease-resistant gooseberry variety will not withstand poor handling and may become diseased if the crown is allowed to thicken excessively.

The procedure for pruning gooseberries must be carried out on time, otherwise it will be much more difficult to do later. The spines of this crop are very hard and sharp; simple fabric gloves do not help to avoid punctures and scratches. But if this happens, you can protect your hands with thick suede gloves for welding or rubber electrical gloves.

Advantages and disadvantages of spring pruning gooseberries

After the planned removal of excess shoots, the plant is literally transformed and takes on an aesthetic appearance. In addition to being decorative, this seasonal procedure has a number of significant advantages:

• natural ventilation;
• minimal risk of fungal infection, influence of harmful insects;
• increasing productivity indicators;
• preventing unauthorized rooting by cuttings or layering;
• correct plant shape;
• healthy root system.

The procedure itself has no disadvantages if carried out correctly and in a timely manner. If the gooseberry pruning technology is violated or an unfavorable time is chosen, the plant stops bearing fruit and may even get sick and die.

If you prune gooseberries after buds appear, the bush becomes much weaker, so you can’t count on high yields in the coming season.

When can you prune?

Spring pruning of gooseberries is carried out even before the buds bloom on the bush. The bush awakens very early. The timing varies slightly in different regions.

But generally, in the second half of March, the buds already begin to swell. And the appearance and development of leaves dates back to the end of March - beginning of April.

Pruning must be done before the sap begins to flow, in the first ten days of March. In the Urals and Siberia, these deadlines are shifted by two weeks.

The procedure cannot be carried out with swollen and blossoming buds. Trimmed shoots will not be able to overgrow due to the constant movement of sap. The plant will lose a significant amount of nutrients and may die.

What tools will you need?

Loppers and pruners are the main tools for pruning gooseberries. Additionally, stock up on cotton gloves to avoid injuring your hands. Benefits of garden tools:

• Lopper. Trims powerful branches that cannot be removed with pruning shears.
• Secateurs. A classic tool for removing thin, dry stems.

Choose a quality tool with well-sharpened knives. Otherwise, the plant may be severely damaged, which will negatively affect its yield. An important criterion for choosing equipment is the light weight of the metal and a comfortable, rubberized handle. The hand should not slip, otherwise you may injure yourself.

Buy garden tools with red handles. This way he is more visible on the ground, and you can reduce the search time due to your own forgetfulness.

Trimming tools

To cut gooseberries, use pruning shears and loppers. These activities must be performed with rubberized cotton gloves. This is required by safety regulations. Using mittens eliminates the possibility of cutting hand injuries.

Secateurs

A cutting tool will help remove thin branches. As a rule, the top of the bush crown is trimmed with pruning shears. Thicker branches can be handled if desired. But in this case, they are not cut off, but broken off. This leads to drying of the stems and disease of the entire bush.

Lopper

A tool that easily cuts thick branches. Their thickness can reach 5 cm. They have much longer handles than pruning shears. This allows you to easily cut branches at the base of the crown or in other places located in the middle of the bush.

When choosing devices, you must follow the following requirements:

1. The blades of the knives must be prepared and have a high sharpness so that the branches do not break during cutting.
2. You should not use old tools that are rusty, or have chipped or cracked handles. This can lead to damage to the bush and injury.
3. The secateurs and loppers should be lightweight so that when working with a large number of bushes, the hand does not feel tired and pain in the joints does not appear.
4. The handle of cutting objects must have the correct shape and be made of several materials. The hand should not slip on the handle of the tool.

Important! For absent-minded workers, it is better to choose a handle with a bright color that will be visible from afar.

Features of the gooseberry pruning procedure

In order for the plant to bear fruit, first form a bush, and then regularly prune new or diseased shoots. After the procedure, be sure to feed the gooseberries. In spring, choose nitrogenous fertilizers - 50-70 g per bush.

Apply fertilizers to a previously dug hole 30 cm deep. Then bury it and water it thoroughly. This will increase productivity and smooth out interference in the growth and development of the bush.

Bush structure

Externally, it is a wide bush that reaches a height of 1.5 m. The crown width is approximately the same. The length of the root collar is 30 cm, the width is no more than 5 cm. In spring, small buds appear on the branches, from which young shoots grow. Basal branches emerge from buds at the base of the bush.

In a young plant of 1 year of life, the basal shoots grow more intensively. In the first summer, the green leaves turn brown, by autumn the stems dry out, and the following spring shoots appear. This is the base of the bush. It is important to control the annual growth, the length of which varies from 8 to 30 cm, depending on weather conditions.

A young plant, 1-3 years old, bears fruit intensively. To maintain the yield, trim the gooseberries regularly and row its crown every season. Separately remember about the root system, in which horizontal shoots are also formed. Also remove root shoots in early spring.

Bush formation

The shape of the bush and the splendor of the crown completely depend on the age of the gooseberry. Experienced gardeners can tell how old it is just by looking at a plant. General characteristics of the first years of gooseberry life are described below.

First year

The first pruning of gooseberries is carried out at the seedling stage. When inspecting, remove all diseased and crooked shoots of the seedlings, trim the rest to 3 or 4 buds. The main thing is not to injure her. Make the cut oblique, 5 mm higher. Plant the seedling in open ground, water it, and watch the growth of shoots.

Some gardeners are afraid to prune shrubs that are 1 year old, believing that they will damage the root system, disrupt growth and reduce gooseberry yield. This is an erroneous opinion, since during 1 year of growth many stems appear on the shrub, and the root system is strengthened. Gooseberries are particularly resilient.

Second year

At this age, the shrub has 3 two-year-old branches and approximately the same number of one-year-old shoots. Identify up to 7 healthy stems that grow from the ground, shorten them to a height of 30 cm. Trim the remaining shoots to a height of no more than 20 cm.

Check the root system separately. Remove horizontal growth up to 20 cm in height. Otherwise, the growth of strong branches slows down, and the shoots take all the water and nutrients from the ground. After pruning, disinfect garden tools.

Third year

At this age, the basis of the bush consists of 12-18 healthy and strong branches that grow from the ground itself. In reality, there are more shoots, and some of them appear chaotically, the access to light and air is disrupted.

First, remove the horizontal growth. With a developed root system, in principle it should not exist. The pruning doesn't end there. Look through the branches of the bush, remove weak, broken and diseased ones. Then cut off healthy stems 15 cm from the top. This is a kind of “growth stimulation”.

Fourth and subsequent years

The plant is considered mature and bears fruit well. Ideally, there should be 15-20 branches of different ages left. To maintain productivity, carefully examine the gooseberry stems, remove crooked, diseased and dry branches. Cut out young shoots growing from the roots, be sure to get rid of horizontal shoots, stems over 5 years old.

Autumn pruning

After the summer season, it is much easier for an attentive gardener to determine which branches will need to be pruned, which ones bore berries, what kind of shoot growth there was and in which direction they stretch. The whole picture becomes completely clear. This is why autumn pruning is so valued. However, it is better to assign it the role of a cleansing and preparatory procedure - radical changes should not be made. The bush should go into a dormant state without serious losses.

Autumn pruning is done to cleanse and rejuvenate the crown of the bush, which will increase the number of berries and their quality in the future.

Before pruning, the bush is inspected for the presence of dry and blackened shoots. Usually these are old branches that have lived for seven or more years. They need to be cut off at the root. The same fate will befall the shoots that did not bear fruit in the past season.

The side branches are cut by a quarter, the cut point is located a centimeter above the bud looking outward. Shoots with thin ends are cut to the first large bud. Those growing crosswise or in the wrong direction are pruned to the point where they will no longer interfere with others. Branches with poor annual growth (up to 7 cm) are shortened to strong growth.

The result will be many cuts, including large ones - they should be covered with garden varnish. After the pruning procedure, 4-5 strong shoots may remain on the bush - this is a completely normal number, and it usually makes up a third of all large and medium-sized shoots. Next year, due to its growth rate, the bush will already have ten or more branches. His health will only get stronger from this, not to mention the volume of the harvest.

Autumn pruning of gooseberries is often called rejuvenating

Video: how to prune correctly in the fall

Bush formation methods

Most often, gooseberries are pruned in the fall. This is explained by the early awakening of the bush in the spring. Already in the second half of March, young buds appear on the branches, and after 3-4 weeks the first leaves appear. If you decide to prune gooseberries in the spring, choose one of the methods suggested below.

Classic way

In this case, you can get a rich harvest. The gooseberry pruning method is the most common and safe for the plant and yield. Remove broken, diseased and dry branches completely, cut all others to a length of 15-20 cm from the top. Features of the procedure depend on the year of the plant’s life:

• 1 year. Completely eliminate root shoots, leave up to 5 buds on cut branches (no more than 3-4 pieces).
• 2nd year Remove root shoots, leave up to 8 healthy branches, and trim a third of the stems if necessary.
• 3-4 years. Remove one third of last year's branches, leave 3-4 new shoots. The number of branches after pruning is no more than 15 pcs.
• 5-7 years. Trim all branches older than 5 years and basal shoots, leaving 20 healthy and strong shoots.

Standard method

In this case, a healthy central shoot is selected, which is considered the trunk. The branches extending from it are preserved. Remove the rest using the classic method. Trim the remaining crown. In this case, the trunk needs support. Use a regular stick, which you fix at the base of the gooseberry.

Advantages of the method:

• uniform crown growth;
• supply of heat and light;
• high productivity;
• saving space on the site.

Flaws:

• low frost resistance;
• weak immunity;
• rapid aging of the bush;
• life expectancy up to 12 years.

Trellis method

This pruning method is not suitable for all gooseberry varieties. You need a lot of strong and healthy branches, and making a trellis is a must. It is better to use this method when planting gooseberries:

1. Install several stakes on one row, then connect them with wire with a distance between tiers of 15 cm.
2. Select 3-5 longest branches on the bush and secure them with wire.
3. Remove the root shoots again.

To understand how a gooseberry trellis is used, think about a grape trellis. The principle of application is identical, the design features are the same.

Non-standard cutting shapes

When forming a gooseberry bush, you can move away from the classical scheme. Sometimes this helps increase productivity and make caring for the berry garden easier.

Standard trimming

Standard pruning is when the bush is given the shape of a tree. This is advisable if the area is small, too damp and poorly lit. Standard pruning promotes better air circulation around the bush, which will have a beneficial effect on its growth and development.

Algorithm for standard bush formation:

• Choose the most powerful branch that grows vertically.
• All other branches are cut off.
• The stamp is tied to a support.
• Remove all shoots that form by the end of the first season.
• Each subsequent season, no more than 5 powerful side branches are left on the trunk, and last year’s ones are cut in half.
• Constantly cut out branches growing down or into
• Cut out all the growth. If you mulch the tree trunk circle, there will be less growth.

When standard pruning, gooseberries will “grow old” by the age of 10-12; it will not be possible to rejuvenate them, because it is based on one escape. The gardener needs to prepare for its replacement.

On a note. Standard pruning is ideal for humid, hot southern regions. In northern latitudes, a bush formed in this way will be powerless to withstand the frosty winter.

Trimming for trellis

To grow gooseberries on trellises, supports are installed near the bushes with three rows of wire stretched between them.

Distances:

• between wires 0.5, 0.8 and 1 m;
• between bushes in a row 0.8-1 m;
• between rows 1.5 m.

Select 3-5 most powerful branches. They are tied to a wire in the form of a fan. The middle branches are shortened more, the side branches are trimmed quite a bit. All other branches are removed, including zero ones.

On a note. The trellis method is good for a large number of bushes. Maintenance is easier, plants get sick less and produce a lot of harvest in a small area.

Anti-aging pruning

Gooseberry yields decrease after 5 years. The plant needs rejuvenating pruning, which will restore its decorative appearance and increase fertility. The pruning technology depends on the age of the bush:

• Up to 10 years. Completely cut out old, deformed, diseased and dead branches, but no more than a third of the entire plant. Check the tops of the remaining stems. If there is a problem, cut them at the level of the first lateral shoot.
• Over 10 years old. The image method is more radical. Remove all branches, leaving only 5 healthy and strong stems. Trim their tops if necessary. If everything is done correctly, buds and young shoots will appear immediately.

Gooseberry bushes older than 20 years are not pruned. After such a procedure, the old plant may not bear fruit at all, or may die.

Pruning before planting

Yes, gooseberries begin to be pruned even before they are planted in a permanent place. In this case, the shoots are shortened so that no more than four buds remain on each of them. This approach seems a little cruel, but there is no need to worry about the plant - thanks to its ability to quickly grow shoots, the gooseberry will make up for what it has lost and will soon delight you with an excellent harvest.

Gooseberries begin to be pruned even before planting in a permanent place - this is the key to its active development

Of course, it is important to carefully examine the seedling for broken, dried or damaged branches. They will have to be removed before planting, otherwise later this can lead to troubles in the form of diseases that have settled in the damaged areas of the bush.

Pruning neglected bushes

Some gardeners ignore overgrown shrubs and put off pruning branches until later. At this time, the plant suffers and may get sick. There is a high risk of fungal infection. There is no talk at all about tasty and sweet berries. It is still possible to save the situation if you act in the following sequence:

1. Trim the bush. Remove horizontal growth, lifeless shoots, broken and deformed branches.
2. Leave 5 healthy and strong stems, which you also cut to 15 cm from the top (to 1 shoot on the side).
3. Coat fresh gooseberry cuts with soda water.
4. Apply mineral fertilizer to the open ground next to the bush to a depth of 30 cm, water the plant with water.
5. Regularly monitor the growth of the plant, do not allow the crowns to thicken again.

You can also learn about the rules for pruning gooseberries in spring from the following video:

Feeding after pruning

Pruning is stressful for the plant. Feeding helps overcome the negative consequences of our interference in the development of the bush.

In spring, nitrogen fertilizers of mineral and organic origin are used for this purpose.

An adult bush requires from 50 to 70 grams of nitrogen “mineral water”, a young one - half as much. The granules are placed into a shallow groove made at a distance of 50-60 cm from the center of the bush. Then they water and fill the hole with soil.

To avoid burning the roots, in March I recommend mulching with mature compost or well-rotted humus. It is better not to use manure.

Organic matter is scattered around the perimeter of the bush in a layer of 1-2 centimeters. In this case, you need to fill a circle with a diameter of about 1 meter.

Useful tips

When pruning gooseberries in spring, use the valuable recommendations of experienced gardeners. Nothing complicated, but you can preserve the decorative appearance of the bush and increase its fertility.

Helpful Tips:

• Trim the bushes to the first buds. If you don’t have time, postpone the procedure until autumn.
• Make external cuts, otherwise the new shoots are unsuitable for growth and future yield.
• Remove diseased, broken and dry branches first, as they absorb all the valuable components necessary for the growth and productivity of gooseberries.
• Remove branches older than 8 years; you can’t count on them to bear fruit. Berries ripen faster on young stems.
• Carry out anti-aging pruning gradually, otherwise the plant experiences severe stress, which negatively affects its fruiting.
• Don't break branches. Cut thin shoots with pruning shears, thick shoots with a lopper. Pre-sharpen your garden tools.
• Remove annual gooseberry growths in early spring, and perennial ones in autumn.

If there are gooseberries on the site, do not ignore them. With proper pruning, the bush bears fruit well for many years, produces tasty and, most importantly, healthy fruits.

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Methods for forming a bush

It is best to prune gooseberries in the spring before they awaken. Don't be lazy or afraid to miss an important moment. The fact is that spring pruning brings better development for the bush.

There are the following methods of crown formation:

• classical;
• standard;
• trellis;
• anti-aging pruning.

Classic way

This option is very simple and gives maximum yield. It consists of cleaning the bush from broken, dry and diseased branches. Some healthy branches are pruned to 20 cm.

The method has features depending on the age of the gooseberry:

• 1st year . Horizontal shoots and shoots on healthy stems are completely removed. This leaves four buds.
• 2nd year . The bush is cleared of root shoots. About 8 healthy branches are left. A third of the stems are trimmed to a height of 15 cm.
• 3rd and 4th years . About 4 fresh shoots are left. Dry branches from last year are removed. The number of sprouts of different ages should remain no more than 15 pieces.
• From 5th to 7th year . Sprouts of 4th and 5th orders are cut off. Horizontal root shoots are removed. There should be 20 shoots left.

Important! Only external cuts should be made. Otherwise, new shoots will not be able to bear fruit.

Standard method

This method involves selecting a healthy main shoot, which becomes the trunk of the bush. All branches and sprouts of the trunk remain intact. Cosmetic work is carried out on them to trim diseased or dry shoots. The remaining branches must be removed. It will be difficult for the trunk to hold the resulting cap of sprouts and leaves. Therefore, it must be supported with a strong object. To do this, use wooden sticks or reinforcement rods. In this case, one end of the support is fixed at the base of the bush.

Advantages of the method:

• beautiful symmetrical crown;
• increased productivity;
• saving garden space.

Flaws:

• fear of frost;
• the bush lives no more than 12 years;
• susceptibility to disease;
• requires increased attention and care.

Trellis method

The essence of the method is similar to the application on grape bunches. To implement the method, it is necessary to make a trellis and a lot of healthy branches on the bush.

Several stakes are lined up in one row and tied together with wire. The distance between the stakes should be no more than 15 cm. After this, healthy branches are carefully attached to the wire. In this case, the root shoots are removed. The trellis method strengthens the plant, prolongs its life and increases immunity.

Anti-aging pruning

The method is suitable for plants older than five years. At this age, the yield of gooseberries drops noticeably and its rejuvenation is required. This process will restore the development of the bush to its previous level. The method differs depending on age:

• Bush less than 10 years old. Old, dry, diseased and damaged branches are cut out. In this case, two thirds of the plant are left untouched. For them, problem shoots are trimmed to the length of the first side stem.
• Bush over 10 years old. In this case, 5 apparently healthy branches are left. The rest are completely cut out. If there are problem areas on the tops, trim them. If all measures are carried out correctly, the plant will come to life and produce a harvest like a young one.

Unfortunately, no operations are carried out on shrubs over 20 years old. Because after removing any branch, the plant first stops bearing fruit, and then dies.

Important! Anti-aging pruning is carried out slowly in stages. When all actions are performed quickly, the plant experiences a lot of stress. This has an extremely bad effect on the harvest.

Gardening tips

Pruning gooseberries is not a difficult procedure, but it requires a responsible approach from the gardener. Below are tips on how to make pruning more effective and not harm the bush.

After autumn pruning of gooseberries, you need to apply fertilizer and mulch the soil under the bush

• All cutting areas should be treated with garden varnish.
• After autumn pruning of gooseberries, you need to apply fertilizer and mulch the soil under the bush.
• When pruning in autumn, you cannot cut out more than 1/3 of the bush, otherwise the effect of the procedure will be negative.
• To make it easier to determine the age of the pagon, it is worth marking them with ribbons of different colors.
• Only very sharp, sharpened tools are used for pruning.
• To simplify the procedure, it is worth protecting your hands from the prickly pagons with gloves.
• If there are a lot of diseased branches on the gooseberry, it is easier to completely uproot it and throw it away, since pruning most of the branches can greatly harm the plant, especially if pruning is carried out in the fall and not in the spring.

Types of pruning

Depending on the variety of gooseberry, its correct pruning will be carried out. It is worth first taking into account the type of crop, growth conditions and other factors that may negatively affect the condition of the bush. This can be avoided by choosing the right time and method of cleaning the culture. A suitable set of tools, the right timing and availability of time guarantee a good result.

There are:

• sanitary pruning;
• formation of hybrid and European varieties;
• anti-aging pruning.

For hybrid and European varieties, autumn pruning is carried out in order to speed up the process of bush formation and at the same time maximize its fruiting. Sanitary pruning is not suitable for all varieties, because it can cause drying out

The anti-aging option must also be used with caution, otherwise the work done will be in vain

Rejuvenating

Taking care of the plant will certainly bring good results. If the bush has not had proper care for several years, then rejuvenating pruning is exactly what is needed. This cleaning option is carried out in several stages. Gradually (over 2-3 years) you need to start cutting off the old shoots one by one.

Due to this, new branches will appear at the base, which will bear fruit well. This type of pruning is considered the most dangerous, because the plant is susceptible to injury and stress.

Pre-landing

Before planting, some kind of cleaning of the gooseberries is also necessary. This must be done in the spring so that the young bush quickly forms and begins to bear fruit. It is necessary to completely remove all broken, very thin and injured branches. Healthy shoots are shortened, leaving only 3-4 buds. Such actions will allow you to initially form a healthy bush.

Important! When carrying out anti-aging pruning, it is worth using a fertilizer that allows the bush to recover as quickly as possible.

Why is pruning done?

Gooseberries can grow up to 1.8 meters, there are also taller varieties, but they are not often grown. The pagons of this culture develop very quickly. If gooseberries are not pruned annually, within 2 years the bush will turn into an impenetrable thicket and it will be problematic to collect berries, especially from varieties that have thorns.

Important! It is the thickened bushes with an abundance of pagons that most often get sick. In darkened areas where sunlight does not reach, diseases and rot develop, and the bush may completely disappear if countermeasures are not taken in time.

It is thickened bushes with an abundance of branches that most often get sick.

Berries on bushes with an abundance of branches develop and ripen very slowly - they simply do not have enough sunlight. If the bush is not rejuvenated, it quickly ages and within 5-8 years after planting it may stop producing crops altogether.

Routine annual pruning can solve these problems. If it is carried out in time, the bush will grow compactly, not very densely, there will be fewer diseases, pests will be less likely to “attack” the plant, the yield will not fall for many years, and harvesting will be much easier. But before you prune the gooseberries, you need to find out when is the best time to do it.

Pruning a neglected bush

If pruning has not been done for a long time, or the bush is very thick, then even in this case it can be helped. Correctly pruning gooseberries that are overgrown can be done as follows: remove all, without exception, low-yielding, broken, frostbitten in winter, old (they can be easily identified by dark and cracked bark) and diseased branches. It is especially worth paying attention to the base of the bush and removing from there any shoots, even young ones, that are thickening it.

If possible, rejuvenating pruning should be done in the fall, then with the onset of warmth next spring, the growth of young shoots will quickly begin. To rejuvenate gooseberries, one year will not be enough; you will have to prune the bush for 2-4 seasons in a row. It is not recommended to immediately remove all unnecessary shoots; only 1/3 can be cut out at a time. If there are more of them, the weakened gooseberry may die.

Methods for forming gooseberries

As a rule, a gooseberry is just a spreading bush, but with the help of pruning, a gooseberry bush can be given different shapes and different principles of growth. You can choose from several types the one you like best:

1. Classic method of forming gooseberries. It is more common, and, moreover, according to experienced summer residents, formation in this way gives the richest harvest.

2.Standard method of forming gooseberries. When using this method, the gooseberry is more like a small spreading tree, takes up little space, and, most importantly, has a more aesthetic appearance.

3.Formation of gooseberries on a trellis. Gooseberries grow well on a trellis; this method is very convenient for harvesting.

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Spring procedure

Spring pruning carries a lot of stress, so we approach it with special care. The snow has barely melted and the sun has warmed up, the buds on the shoots of the bush have not yet swelled, and we are already catching the time for our operation. The actions will depend on the age of the gooseberry.

If this is a seedling, then we leave three or four buds on strong shoots, and two on weak shoots. From those buds that remain, side shoots and root shoots, also called zero shoots, will grow. Often gardeners remove all weak shoots, leaving a few strong straight ones - these branches will become the basis for the future crown.

For gooseberries growing for the second year, the berries will form on the shoots of the second row of branching (they grow in the second year after planting). Weak root shoots are removed and 3-4 strong and developed ones are left - this is done to strengthen new branching. By the end of the season, the bush will grow three one-year and two-year shoots, on which there will be growths and branches.

When the third year ends, the bush will have to consist of two to three dozen shoots of different ages - this will be the skeletal basis of the bush. From this moment on, all young shoots are disposed of.

Scheme for pruning gooseberries in the spring of the second year

When the base and crown of the bush are formed, it will be necessary to carry out formative pruning every year. All branches that thicken the bush are removed. Broken and frozen branches in winter are cut down to the first healthy bud or entirely. If the shoots are very elongated and the tips are drooping, they need to be shortened to the first strong branch.

An old gooseberry or a gooseberry that has been left unattended and neglected for several years needs a slightly different approach. It has several weakened shoots and at the same time developed basal shoots. Usually such a bush is left with root growth and strong branches. As a rule, most of the berries grow on branches of the first, second and third order, and branches of the fourth and fifth order do not bring much benefit and even weaken the plant (on bushes over seven years old). It turns out that proper spring pruning of gooseberries helps to form a crown and provides an incentive for the growth of berry shoots.

A bush over eight years old needs radical pruning. All weak shoots are removed from it, leaving 4–5 of the strongest skeletal shoots. After such pruning, the gooseberry begins a new formation.

Spring gooseberry care

Gooseberries wake up after winter as one of the first among fruit bushes

Around April, the bush opens its leaves, so it is important to carry out the first work before the juices begin to move in the stems

The start date for work depends on the growing region:

• in the south of the country, care begins in March;
• in the central regions - in mid-April;
• in Siberia and the Urals - at the end of April, early May.

Recommended reading: everything about gooseberries!

Freeing bushes from snow and shelter

Snow that has not completely melted does not interfere with early work on caring for the plant. The main thing is that the air is warmed up to at least +5°C, then you can start opening the gooseberries. This should be done in stages so that the plant gradually gets used to the temperature.

First, you should remove the top cover from the bush: spruce branches, film or agricultural material. Then, when the snow cover has completely melted, the mulch must be removed from the ground. The final stage is to clean the tree trunk and burn plant debris, including mulch.

Preparation of instruments and drugs

Spring also begins with an inspection of garden tools. Seasonal care involves several activities using different equipment. The speed of the gardener’s actions and their quality depend on the quality and ease of use.

The handles of all tools need to be inspected for chips, roughness, check how strong the connection with the cutting or digging part is - it should not dangle.

All defects found must be removed:

• Clean tool handles with sandpaper;
• tighten fasteners if necessary;
• align bent teeth or blades; in some cases it is better to purchase new tools.

Preparing the cutting surfaces involves sharpening them well, so that the tool does not wear down the branch, but makes an accurate cut.

It is advisable to immediately, so as not to be distracted when work in the garden is in full swing, provide yourself with the necessary medications:

• fertilizers;
• fungicides and insecticides;
• antiseptics.

Did you know? In Azerbaijan, gooseberry berries are called “Russian cherry plum”.

Pruning gooseberries in winter

Winter is not considered a good time for pruning. Despite the fact that in the cold season it is much easier to determine the branches to be removed, incorrect implementation of the procedure can cause irreparable harm to the crop.

However, there are times when winter pruning is vital. This occurs when the branches of the bush have been damaged by a thick layer of snow and must be removed immediately so that diseased or weak shoots do not become a source of infection in the spring.

Peculiarities

Among the features of winter pruning, one main recommendation should be highlighted. If there is a need to remove branches in winter, this must be done very carefully.

The fact is that in the cold season the wood becomes too fragile and the gardener may accidentally damage healthy shoots while removing damaged ones. To do this, you need to use only sharp instruments that have been previously disinfected.

Rules

The “golden” rule of winter pruning is the correct timing for the procedure.

Gooseberries are heat-loving crops, so you can remove branches in winter only if the air temperature does not drop below -5 degrees. In addition, there should be no strong wind, which will slow down the wound healing process and can cause complete death of the plant.

Methods

The only acceptable way to prune gooseberries in winter is sanitary. Forming a crown in the cold season is not recommended due to the high risk of harming the plant.

Wounds formed on the branches of the crop do not heal well at low temperatures, so in winter you can only remove dry shoots, branches with signs of disease, or shoots damaged by snow and ice.