Ribes uva-crispa 'Martlet'

Spring · Outdoors

Apply an organic mulch

Apply a 5-10cm layer of organic mulch around the plant in spring to reduce weeds, retain moisture and keep roots cool in summer. Leave a 10cm gap between the stem and the mulch to prevent stem rot. Before applying mulch, clear the area of weeds and water if it hasn't rained recently. Use biodegradable material such as garden compost, well-rotted manure, leaf mould or bark chippings as mulch.

A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.

Spring-Autumn · Outdoors

Water during dry periods

For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.

Spring · Planting

Repot yearly

Repot yearly if grown in a pot. Move it to a slightly larger pot with drainage holes. Some of the old compost can be shaken away, but don't disturb the roots too much.

Be careful to ensure the roots are spread out in the new pot, and that the plant is sitting on compost and not an air pocket. Firm the soil gently, and make sure that the plant sits at the same level above the soil as it did previously.

Spring - early · Planting

Remove suckers

Remove any suckers that have appeared round the base of the plant. They can often be pulled up, but it may be necessary to use secateurs or loppers to detach them from the parent plant.

Spring - mid · Planting

Prune to maintain the plant

To prune gooseberries grown as shrubs, halve the length of young growth. Remove crossing branches or those that make the plant look congested. When established, remove low shoots appearing at the base and any poor young growth.

Gooseberries, like ornamental shrubs, should be grown as open shrubs with outward and upward branches, open at the centre, so it has an attractive, uncrowded appearance.

Summer · Planting

Protect fruit from birds

If the plant is not grown in a fruit cage, protect it with a net to prevent birds eating the fruit.

Outdoor planting · Planting

Add root growth stimulant to the planting hole

Mycorrhizal fungi helps roots establish quickly, so they absorb water and nutrients more efficiently. It comes as a powder, granule or gel. Add to the planting hole or container, and to the plant's rootball before planting in the hole. For "bareroot" plants use a gel.