Pruning a gooseberry plant twice a year is one of the most important aspects of caring for it.If you have a young gooseberry plant, you'll have to cut back on some of the growth.If you have a mature gooseberry plant, regular maintenance is required to keep the center airy.Pruning a gooseberry plant will encourage the growth of more fruit and keep the plant healthy.
Step 1: During the first year, Prune back all but five branches.
Pruning gooseberry bushes begins in the early spring.The stems come off the main stem of the bush.To remove the other growth from the main stem of the plant, use a pair of sterile hand shears.The gooseberry branches should not cross over the middle of the plant.Your gooseberry plant will be able to focus its energy on those branches which will lead to bigger harvests.
Step 2: Cut the branches in half.
Use your shears to cut above the bud on the main branches of the plant.Measure the length of the branches with a tape measure, so that you can watch the plant grow.In the early spring, cut back the main branches to encourage growth.
Step 3: During the winter, cut half of the new growth.
Cut half of the new growth in November after the plant has grown through the spring and summer.Measure the length of the new growth in the spring.
Step 4: There are suckers at the base of the plant.
Small branches or leaves growing near the base of the plant are called suckers and will compete with the growth of fruit the next year.Use your gardening shears to cut these away.
Step 5: Half of the previous year's growth was in the winter.
When the plant doesn't have leaves or fruit, it's a good time to start trimming mature bushes.You can find the bud from the tip of the main branch.The shears should be placed above the bud to cut away the new growth.Stronger growth will result from cutting last year's growth in half.
Step 6: There are branches that cross over the main stem.
Disease or rot can be promoted by branches that cross over the main stem.Use a pair of gardening shears to cut the branches over the bud.The main stem can be damaged by crossing branches.
Step 7: There are branches that are low to the ground.
The branches that hang low to the ground are vulnerable to diseases.Cut the low hanging branches all the way to the main stem.This will encourage the growth of your plant.
Step 8: Remove old and dead branches.
A branch will look gnarled with fewer buds after 5 years.Cut back branches that are more than 5 years old.Plants begin to produce less gooseberries after 3 years.New growth will be made room for by clearing away old branches.
Step 9: The branches should be cut.
There are spots or cankers on the bark which may be a sign of disease.If you see a sign of disease in a branch, cut it back to the main stem of the plant.The bark of gooseberry plants is killed by canker.
Step 10: In the summer, cut the branches to 5 leaves.
In the first week of July, there are only 5 leaves on each of the leading branches.This is the total length of each branch.Pruning your gooseberry bush too much will encourage the growth of new fruit during the next season.
Step 11: To maximize fruit yield, repeat the process each year.
Prune your gooseberry during the winter and summer to prevent overgrowth and promote fruit growth.