Contents
Gooseberry care in the fall, how to feed the bushes
Gooseberry bushes in autumn need special care, without which you cannot count on a high harvest next year. Learn how to prepare a berry field for winter.
Gooseberry care in autumn according to all the rules
The productivity of the bush depends on its health. A weakened plant is often sick and does not tolerate frost well. The gardener’s task is to strengthen the immune system of the berry.
Gooseberry bushes will not yield a good harvest next year without proper care in the fall.
Before the onset of cold weather, the bushes need to be thinned out, the fallen leaves must be removed, the soil must be dug around, the trunk circle must be mulched and fed. All work is carried out in stages. Do not forget about water-charging irrigation, which is done a month before the onset of frost. It will help the root system and shoots to accumulate enough moisture for comfortable wintering and laying the crop.
Thinning the bush in the fall is essential. Pay particular attention to the bottom of the plant. Remove any thickening shoots that are dry and damaged. In old bushes, you need to cut out all the sprouted shoots at the soil level, long branches are shortened by 1/3.
Autumn mulching with humus protects the roots from frost. The layer thickness must be at least 10 cm
Gooseberry is a winter-hardy crop that can withstand temperatures down to -40C, but you shouldn’t rely on the weather. In harsh regions, it is better to additionally cover it for the wintering period. Tie the branches with twine, line them with spruce branches and cover them with snow. Don’t forget to remove your hiding place in early spring.
What to feed gooseberries in the fall
The last top dressing is done in late autumn, after digging up the soil around the bush. The plant needs it in order to replenish the reserves of nutrients and restore strength after fruiting, to prepare for the laying of a new crop.
In late autumn, only potash and phosphorus fertilizers are introduced, but you need to be more careful with nitrogen ones. It is better to completely abandon them in the autumn, otherwise the winter hardiness of the bush will decrease.
Fertilizer rate for one bush:
- ash – 1 tbsp .;
- potassium sulfate – 1 tbsp. l .;
- superphosphate – 1,5 tbsp.
If the weather is rainy, then use granular fertilizers, they must be embedded in the soil. In a dry autumn, they are fed with a liquid solution.
Gooseberry grows for a long time in one place and, with good care, gives stable yields. Pay attention to all the intricacies of autumn care so that your plants always remain healthy and bear fruit. Do not neglect the advice of experienced gardeners, watch the video on the topic.