Contents
Some gardeners prefer to transplant gooseberries in the fall, while others prefer to replant in the spring. But what time is still the most optimal and how to avoid mistakes during the work, few know. It will be useful to know the rules of agrotechnics for transplanting Due to the redberry.
In what cases should gooseberries be transplanted
The reasons why it became necessary to transplant adult gooseberry bushes can be very diverse. Sometimes it’s not easy to choose the right place right away; when planting, gardeners do not always take into account the future size of an adult shrub. As a result of the struggle for nutrients and territory, the gooseberry either begins to suppress its neighbors, or neighboring plants begin to negatively affect its development and fruiting.
Another significant reason, in the presence of which a shrub transplant is often simply necessary, is its defeat by various diseases that develop due to location in unsuitable conditions. Sometimes, transplanting is the only way to save a plant that is fading before our eyes. So, for example, when placed in lowlands, gooseberries become easily vulnerable to fungal diseases.
When is it better to transplant gooseberries: in autumn or spring
Many gardeners are wondering when is the best time to transplant gooseberries. Both autumn and spring are suitable for this procedure. However, the most optimal time for transplantation is still the autumn period, when fruiting has already ended, and the bush has entered a state of rest. The plant, therefore, will be able to direct all its forces to rooting in the soil without compromising the formation of fruits. That is why it is better to transplant gooseberries to another place in the fall.
It is possible to transplant gooseberries to a new place in the spring, however, the buds on the shoots of the shrub begin to form too early, which is why choosing the optimal time for transplanting during this period is not an easy task. After the formation of buds has begun, it is undesirable to stress and injure the root system of the shrub. It will be very difficult for her to recover later, since all the forces of the plant during this period are aimed at the formation of deciduous mass. As a result, the adaptation of the transplanted plant will be slow, which, in turn, will negatively affect its development and the quality of the crop.
How to transplant gooseberries to a new place in spring or autumn
After deciding to transplant gooseberries from place to place, you need to familiarize yourself with all the intricacies of this process. Otherwise, it is easy for an inexperienced gardener who has never dealt with this crop before to make many mistakes during transplantation, which in the future may adversely affect the development of the plant.
When to transplant gooseberries in spring
In order to properly transplant gooseberries in the spring, it is important, first of all, to determine the timing of the work. The buds on the shoots of the plant begin to swell very early, with the advent of the first warm days. And by the end of May, most varieties of this shrub are already beginning to bear their first fruits.
For each region, the optimal timing of gooseberry transplantation in the spring is individual, moreover, in different years they can shift forward or backward and within the same region.
Is it possible to transplant gooseberries in April
In some regions where spring warming begins too late, shrub transplantation is allowed in early April. These include, for example, the territory of Siberia and the Urals. In this case, the main thing is also to rely on the basic rule and start planting work before the start of sap flow.
When to transplant gooseberries in the fall
It is much easier to determine exactly when to transplant gooseberries to a new place in the fall. As a rule, the period from the end of September to the beginning of October is suitable for transplantation, when the life processes slow down and all the leaves fall off the shoots. The exact date is chosen, depending on the weather conditions of the region. Before the onset of the first frost, there should be enough time left for the transplanted bush to take root and grow stronger.
Site selection and soil preparation
When choosing a place to plant, it should be borne in mind that gooseberries love well-lit areas with moist soil. However, it is not recommended to place the plant in the lowlands, where stagnant water forms, as a result of which the soil often turns out to be swampy. Prolonged exposure to waterlogged soil can lead to rotting of the root system and the development of fungal diseases, to which most varieties do not have immunity.
The place must also be protected from gusts of through wind. That is why the plant is often planted next to the fence. In this case, the distance from the shrub to the fence should be at least 1,5 m.
It is not recommended to place gooseberries in areas where raspberries or currants grow or grew shortly before, since these crops are characterized by the same diseases and pests. As a result, an absolutely healthy bush after transplantation can adopt any disease from its predecessor.
When transplanting, it is also important to consider that light loamy soil is most suitable for gooseberries. Peat or sand is added to soil that is too heavy to lighten it, and clay is added to too light soil. The acidity of the soil should be weak. The selected area must be dug up, while clearing it of all plant debris.
To get a rich harvest next spring, care should be taken in advance that the plant can receive from the ground all the nutrients necessary for the normal growth of shoots, development and formation of fruits. For this purpose, a fertile soil mixture is prepared, which will subsequently be covered with planting pits. It consists of the following components:
- 2 parts topsoil;
- 1 part compost.
Preparing gooseberry bushes for transplanting
Gooseberry bushes must first be prepared for transplantation. The preparation algorithm is as follows:
- Trim old, prickly shoots. Leave only the youngest and strongest branches (6-7 pieces). Shorten the remaining shoots by a third. This will make it easier to work with the plant.
- Draw a circle around the shrub at a distance of about 30 cm from each side. Dig around the bush along this circle, cutting with a shovel or ax all the roots outside it.
- Using a shovel or crowbar, pull the bush out of the ground, put it on a film and deliver it to the place chosen for transplantation.
If the bush being transplanted is too large and massive, then the diameter of the part that needs to be dug in can be determined based on the size of the crown. The bush itself should be removed from the ground carefully, trying not to damage the root system.
How to transplant gooseberries to another place
Gooseberries can be transplanted to another place using several methods. Below is the simplest and most popular of them.
Transfer algorithm:
- Dig a landing hole at the chosen place of a slightly larger diameter, in comparison with the size of the earthen coma. The depth of the landing pit should be, on average, about 50 cm.
- Pour 4 buckets of water into the pit, fill with pre-prepared soil mixture.
- Place the bush in an upright position or slightly at an angle in the pit, deepening no more than 7-10 cm. Holding the plant, fill the free space on the sides with the remnants of the fertile mixture.
- Tamp the ground, moisten abundantly (3 buckets of water per 1 plant).
Rules for the care of gooseberries after transplantation
Immediately after transplanting the gooseberries in the fall, it is recommended to mulch the near-stem circle with a layer of peat, due to which the moisture will not evaporate so quickly. Shoots should be cut to the last, located at the very bottom, buds.
Further care is simple and consists of regular watering, before which the mulch layer is removed, and then returned back. The transplanted bush does not need shelter for the winter: it is enough just to sprinkle it with sawdust.
Caring for gooseberries after transplanting to a new place in the spring is somewhat different. Watering at this time should be done carefully, trying not to overmoisten the soil. First of all, you should focus on the amount of precipitation. Among other things, regular weeding, fertilizing with complex fertilizers and measures to protect against pests are added to the care of the transplanted bush in the spring.
A plant transplanted in the spring will be able to bear fruit next year. The exception is the bushes, the cause of the transplantation of which are diseases. You should expect a harvest from them only for the 2nd – 4th year.
What are the most common mistakes gardeners make?
The most common mistakes among gardeners when transplanting gooseberries are:
- Removal of an earthen coma before transplantation. An adult plant does not like bare roots: planted without a clod of earth, it will take root worse, develop more slowly and get sick more often.
- Planting in depleted soil, neglecting the addition of organic fertilizers. For normal development, gooseberries need a lot of nutrients, and in ordinary soil they are usually not enough. That is why compost is made mandatory in the planting pits.
- Too low water temperature during irrigation. Comfortable for gooseberries is the water temperature from 18 to 25 degrees Celsius.
Conclusion
When to transplant gooseberries, in autumn or spring, each gardener must determine for himself. The best time for work is autumn. However, there are situations when it is simply not possible to wait until autumn, as, for example, in the case of a bush being affected by various diseases. If you follow the basic rules, the transplant will only benefit the plant.
