It’s not for nothing that gooseberries are called northern grapes: this berry is no less healthy, and many people like its piquant and sour taste. To ensure that the fruiting of the bush is stable, and the berries are as healthy and tasty as possible, gardeners annually carry out a series of fertilizing, among which spring can be distinguished as the most voluminous and determining the growth of the bush and the amount of harvest.
Spring gooseberry care
Gooseberry bushes require attention throughout the year, but it is in the spring that this attention is most necessary, since at this time the plant begins its growing season. In the spring, every gardener must have time to prepare the plants for its growth and provide protection from pests and diseases. Replanting, pruning - all this is mandatory spring work.
Clearing snow and shelter
The first spring work with gooseberry bushes is to free them from snow and winter shelter. As soon as the snow begins to melt and the air temperature rises to +4...+5°C, active work in the garden begins.
Important! In early spring, as soon as the snow has melted, you should immediately free the gooseberries from winter shelters, since high humidity and above-zero temperatures have a detrimental effect on the plants.
If you mulched the plant for the winter, then the mulch also needs to be raked immediately after removing the winter cover. Since mulch, which served as additional warmth for the plant in winter, can become a breeding ground for diseases and pests in the spring. The collected mulch is taken outside the garden and burned.
Video: what to do with gooseberries in spring to get a good harvest
By doing all these things, you will help the soil warm up faster, thereby stimulating the plant to begin the growing season.
Digging, loosening the soil and getting rid of weeds
The next important step in spring care of gooseberry bushes is digging and loosening the soil . After the bushes are freed from winter shelters, a kind of crust forms on the soil, which does not allow air to pass to the roots of the plant. By loosening the soil early, you can get rid of soil diseases such as blackleg.
Loosening the soil should be done very carefully so as not to damage the root system of the bush. It is important to leave a protective zone around the roots (8–10 cm). Loosening the soil will not only give the roots access to oxygen, but will also prepare them directly for fertilizing.
Early loosening of the soil also allows you to get rid of the first weeds. It is better to use a fork to loosen the soil, since a shovel can cut the roots, leaving them in the ground.
Weed control should be carried out using certain knowledge:
- preventing the ripening of fruits on annual weeds that reproduce by seeds (cyclachen, purslane, squirrel, quinoa);
- the destruction of perennial weeds is carried out by uprooting the plant (nettle, burdock, wheatgrass, dandelion);
- Weeding of the plant is done regularly;
- Herbicides are used in integrated weed control.
Regarding the last point - the use of herbicides, now in specialized stores there is a fairly wide range of chemicals that are designed to control weeds. They were created to help gardeners who do not want to bother with weeding.
Did you know? The Old Russian name for gooseberries is bersen.
It should be remembered that herbicides are chemicals, and work with chemicals is carried out in special clothing, gloves and a mask. After working with herbicides, you should take a shower and do not enter the treated area for a week.
The most popular drugs today are:
- "Roundup";
- "Tornado";
- "Hurricane";
- "Agrokiller";
- "Ground".
Chemicals should be used extremely carefully so that they only get on the weeds. If it gets on a gooseberry, the bush may also die. Few gardeners and gardeners know that deep loosening of the soil damages the roots of perennial weeds, because once they get deep into the ground, they lose access to light and heat, thereby losing the ability to sprout.
Spring pruning
Gooseberries are one of the first cultivated plants to wake up after winter. At the end of March - beginning of April, these bushes already throw out their first leaves, so pruning should be done immediately when the snow melts.
Why do gooseberries need pruning?
- This procedure allows you to give the bush the correct shape, which will consist of branches of different ages.
- Pruning will allow sufficient light to enter, it will also provide excellent ventilation, and therefore reduce the risk of developing diseases and pest attacks on the bushes.
- The branches remaining after the procedure will be able to receive sufficient nutrition and moisture, which will lead to an increase in yield.
- Due to the fact that after the manipulations the bushes will receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, the young shoots will not have to stretch out.
Spring pruning is performed according to the following scheme:
- Pruning is carried out only before the buds swell.
- The cut is made at a distance of 1 cm from the bud, which is directed outward.
- Young branches are the most fertile, so all other branches that are 6 years old or more should be pruned.
- If the old branch has stopped producing crops, it should be removed to the place where it began to grow.
- Pruning is done on absolutely all weak and improperly growing branches so that they do not draw nutrients onto themselves.
- Spring pruning of an old bush is done in 2-3 approaches. You shouldn’t cut everything at once, otherwise the bushes will be weak and hurt for a long time.
- The main tools for carrying out manipulations are pruners (cutting thin branches) and loppers (removing thick branches).
- It should be remembered that even young, newly planted bushes are pruned. Weak shoots are removed, and strong shoots are cut to the 4th bud.
Important! Gooseberry pruning procedures should be carried out strictly before the buds swell, otherwise the plant will simply weaken, and accordingly, the yield will significantly decrease. If you did not manage to do this on time, then it is better to postpone the circumcision work until the fall.
Types of feeding
Substances useful for the normal development of seedlings are divided into macro- and microelements. Macroelements - nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus and others - make up the bulk of the nutritional mixture. Microelements - manganese, boron, copper and others - are used in ultra-small doses. These substances are included in mineral and organic fertilizers used for additional plant nutrition.
Mineral
This category of fertilizers is characterized by rapid action. The substances in the composition are concentrated and are in chelated form, so they easily enter plant tissues. There are single-component and complex mineral fertilizers. The former contain only one element - a chemical substance - and are divided into the following categories depending on the base:
- nitrogen;
- phosphorus;
- potash;
- magnesium;
- boron.
Each of these elements is relevant as a nutritional basis in the process of growth and development of plant crops.
Complex
Complex mineral fertilizers, which contain nutritional compounds in a balanced ratio, are recommended as the main fertilizers. Nutrients in optimal proportions are well absorbed and have a beneficial effect on plant development. For example, nitrophoska contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus in proportions of 16:16:16 and a number of other macro- and microelements. Ammophos contains phosphorus 46%, nitrogen 11% and small inclusions of other useful compounds.
Spring feeding of gooseberries with complex mineral fertilizers is effective on loose soil. If the berry plant is grown on dense soil, it is important to apply it in the fall.
Organic
The organic composition includes natural ingredients and has a mild, long-lasting effect. Organic fertilizers are represented by humus, peat, ash, manure, bird droppings, and bone meal. Manure is used exclusively in a rotted state. It is added to the planting hole or brought into the tree trunk circle, an infusion of 1:10 is used after abundant watering with clean water. Bird droppings are diluted 1:20 and infused for 7 days.
Folk means of feeding
Various applications are practiced, prepared on the basis of garden herbs, tops, yeast, potato peels and other available means.
Recipe for infusion of dandelion, nettle and comfrey:
- pour 1 kg of fresh grass mixture into a bucket and fill the container with water;
- leave in the shade under a loose lid for 7 days;
- Then the liquid is filtered and diluted with water 1:10.
The plant is watered with the working solution at the rate of 10 liters per bush.
An infusion of potato peelings is recommended as an effective fertilizer. Feeding gooseberries with starch in the spring is useful for stimulating the awakening of the buds and also promotes the active growth of young shoots. Potato peel infusion recipe:
- Place 1 kg of peelings in a bucket and pour 10 liters of boiling water;
- wrap the container to create the effect of a thermos;
- after 2-3 hours the temperature of the mass will drop to 50°C;
- Add 1 cup of ash to the substance and mix well.
The hot infusion is poured into the tree trunk circle.
Recipe for nutritional serum for feeding gooseberries during the flowering period:
- mix 1 teaspoon of sour cream and 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey in a liter of water;
- 10 g of live yeast are added to the mixture;
- the substance is diluted in 10 liters of warm water and infused in a dark place for a week.
An infusion of dandelion, nettle and comfrey is a folk remedy for feeding gooseberries.
The working solution is prepared by adding 0.5 liters of infusion to 10 liters of water and watering the gooseberries at the root.
Watering and mulching
Watering is very important in caring for gooseberries. The next day after root watering, the soil must be loosened. The regularity of watering the bushes depends directly on the time of year.
In the spring in April, the first watering is carried out at the rate of 1-2 buckets of warm water per bush, and already in May - June, watering is increased to 40 liters per adult bush 2 times a week. In July, the water calculation does not change, but watering is limited to once a week. In August, the frequency of watering is significantly reduced, based on weather conditions. Irrigation rules are adjusted based on precipitation.
Find out how to properly transplant gooseberries to a new location.
In autumn, moisture-hardening procedures are carried out. In October, a trench is dug around the bush and 20 liters of cool water are poured into it, thereby hardening the plant before winter.
Peat, humus, and straw manure, which are sprinkled in a 5 cm layer, are well suited for mulching gooseberries. This technology is mulching. It is produced to preserve moisture and prevent the appearance of weeds and soil crust. Thanks to mulching, there is no need for such a labor-intensive task as loosening.
It is recommended to lay mulch under the gooseberry bushes in the spring. Mulch should be changed every month. And in the fall you don’t have to remove it, just dig up the mulch, and it will serve as a good winter fertilizer for the cultivated plant.
Deadlines
Gooseberry is a plant that actively uses soil resources. If a bush grows in one place for a long time without additional fertilizer, the soil around it is quickly depleted. Therefore, you should not expect high returns.
Be sure to fertilize the well-drained area in early spring. Standard rule: three spring feedings, on average one for each month of the season. The exact time depends on the weather conditions in your area. In the southern regions, the first fertilizers are applied already at the beginning of March, while in Siberia they are delayed until the end of March or the beginning of April.
Approximate timing of applying basic fertilizers for gooseberries in the spring:
- The first feeding is carried out with the melting of the snow cover. At this time, saturated soil will be more receptive to nutrient additions. A sign that it is time to feed the gooseberries is the swelling of the buds and the appearance of young leaves.
- The second stage of fertilization should be carried out 2 weeks after the first. The starting point is the appearance of the ovaries.
- The third fertilization can be done 14 days after the second, but some gardeners prefer to postpone it until the end of May.
Prevention of diseases and pests
Whatever variety of gooseberry you choose, unfortunately, it can be susceptible to insect attacks and diseases.
Gooseberry diseases are:
- powdery mildew;
- anthracnose;
- mosaic;
- rust.
Among the pests are:
- aphid;
- caterpillar;
- gall midge;
- glass
You should make it a rule to prevent the disease, because treating it is much more difficult, therefore, in order to avoid negative consequences from pests and diseases, you should take preventive measures, such as:
- To plant seedlings, it is important to choose clean soil where this crop has not been planted before.
- The planting site should be open, and the bushes should not shade each other.
- Make regular pruning and avoid thickening of the shoots.
- Prevention against infections will be early spring treatment of bushes with hot water (+75°C). Calculation: a bucket of water for 3 bushes.
- Mulch the bushes and ensure that the covering layer is constantly renewed.
- A good prevention against fungal infections will be treatment in early spring with Bordeaux mixture (3%).
- Several times during the summer you can treat the bushes with a solution of soda and soap (calculation: 50 g of the substance per 10 liters of water). This procedure serves as a good preventative measure in the fight against powdery mildew.
- To prevent anthracnose (after harvesting the fruits), you can treat with Bordeaux mixture (1%).
- In the fall, you should definitely dig around the root of the plant.
- Fertilize the bushes regularly, as they are a good preventative method in the fight against insects and gooseberry diseases.
How to fertilize in the fall
In autumn, attention is paid to phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Summer residents apply 50 g of simple superphosphate under each bush after harvesting or 70 g of phosphate rock. Fertilizers strengthen the gooseberry's immunity and help prepare for winter. Use 5 g of potassium chloride per 1 sq. m or 100 g of potassium salt per bush. Potassium is involved in plant metabolism, promotes the accumulation of sugar in fruits, and they become more tasty.
Spraying is also carried out in the fall - using Bordeaux mixture, solutions of Topaz or Fundazol. They protect gooseberries from powdery mildew and rust, gray rot and anthracnose. The main thing is to remember that fungicides should not be used 3 weeks before harvest.
Attention! A yeast solution is used as a folk fertilizer. Dissolve 1 kg of yeast in 5 liters of warm water and leave for 3 hours. The resulting mixture is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. Such feeding will not only improve the health of the bush, but will also not harm the environment and health.
Basic mistakes in spring care
If you follow all the rules for caring for gooseberries from early spring, you can expect a good harvest. But if you make mistakes in caring for the crop, this can affect not only the fertility of the plant itself, but also destroy the bush.
Did you know? Gooseberries contain more iron than apples, and they rank second after currants in ascorbic acid content.
The main mistakes in spring gooseberry care are:
- Trimming neglected bushes in one step. It is correct to do this in 2–3 years.
- Deep digging of the bush. It is better to choose loosening so as not to damage the root system.
- Sprinkling method. In spring, gooseberries are watered only under the bush.
- Do not fertilize. Fertilizing must be done without fail, otherwise the plant may simply lose strength and die.
- Do not follow the dosage of fertilizers. Otherwise, the plant may burn.
- Do not take into account the place where the seedlings are planted. For example, if you plant seedlings in an area where the groundwater level is high, the plant may die from excess moisture.
- Do not carry out regular weeding. The bush may simply become overgrown.
The royal berry, which is what gooseberries are called, is very healthy and tasty. It is consumed both raw and processed into jams, preserves, and juices.
This is a very dietary berry, because 100 g of fruit contains only 43 kcal. Popular varieties of gooseberries include Pink, Dessert, Izumrud, Souvenir, and Chernomor. By following all the rules of planting and care, you can easily grow a healthy, fertile bush.
The need to apply fertilizers
Gooseberries are valued for their unpretentiousness, quick adaptation to various conditions, and the ability to cultivate and produce crops in temperate climate zones. The application of fertilizers contributes not only to the good development of plants, but also to increased resistance to diseases and pests, and winter hardiness.
Spring fertilizing gives a start to the growth of shoots, activates flowering, and ensures the full formation of ovaries on the bushes. Summer nutrition for gooseberries affects the size, taste and quality of the berries. Adding additives at the end of the season strengthens the plants' defenses before wintering and promotes the formation of full-fledged fruit buds for the next year.
Fertilizers must be used wisely. Overfeeding is just as dangerous as nutrient deficiencies. Excess fertilizer leads to distortions in the growth and development of gooseberries, an increase in vegetative mass to the detriment of fruiting, and a decrease in immunity. It is important to observe the timing, norms and compositions of fertilizing, take into account the age and nutritional needs of the crop at various stages of the growing season, the type of soil, and the characteristics of a particular variety.
