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#Post#: 267--------------------------------------------------
Gooseberry!!!
DIR By: Hummingbird
Date: August 16, 2012, 10:14 am
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It has been a long time since I saw one, but I advertised for
one and a kindly stranger not only gave me several rhurbarb
plants but today delivered to my home a gorgeous gooseberry
bush.... it was about 4 and a half feet high and 4 feet wide....
lol now I planted it but need to find out more about it, lol and
look for recipes too!!!
I love getting plants...
Gooseberry Bushes
An ideal fruit for the small garden - gooseberry bushes are easy
to grow, produce a large amount of fruit for their size and will
tolerate partial shade conditions.
They are self-fertile, so one bush can be grown on its own.
Gooseberry bushes are also well able to withstand harsher
conditions (both temperature and wind) than many other fruits.
This makes them a good choice for cooler areas.
Usually grown in the form of a small bush, they can be trained
to any shape and are especially recommended for pot culture.
Latin Name
Ribes grossularia
Type
Hardy deciduous shrub (height 1m (3ft), spread 1.5m (5ft)).
Site and Soil
Sunny (part shade is OK). Soil well drained, well-dug and
composted before planting.
Plant to Harvest Time
2 years.
How Many?
5kg (11lbs) per plant
Where To Grow Your Gooseberry Bush
Gooseberry bushes are very tolerant of different conditions,
although in an ideal setting they prefer full sun in cooler
areas. The lower temperatures allow the fruit to mature slowly
rather than being 'cooked' into maturity by a warm sun. They are
well-suited to the Midlands and North West of England. Tolerant
of partial shade, the variety Whinhams Industry prefers a
partial shaded site - a North facing wall suits it fine.
Unfortunately, gooseberries are not so tolerant of bad soil
conditions - they need a medium weight soil which is
well-drained but not dry. They need moisture in the soil if the
fruits are to develop fully. They do not require a very fertile
soil, too fertile and the plant produces too much weak green
growth at the expense of good fruit.
#Post#: 268--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gooseberry!!!
DIR By: Hummingbird
Date: August 16, 2012, 10:14 am
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The best time to plant is October; the soil is still warm, and
this allows the roots to establish themselves quickly before the
rest of the plant begins to put on new spring growth.
Any time up to February is satisfactory, as long as the soil is
not frozen or water-logged.
Prepare the soil in advance of planting, gooseberry bushes will
be productive for up to 20 years, so a little effort at this
stage will satisfy their needs for well-drained, medium type
soil. Dig a hole of about 1m (3 ft) round, incorporate as much
organic material as possible. Do the digging in August to give
the soil time to settle by October . Where more than one bush is
being planted, allow 1.6m (5ft) between bushes.
At planting time in October, dig out a 60cm (2ft) hole in the
centre of the previously dug area to a depth so that the soil
mark on the bush will come to the existing soil level. Place the
bush in the hole, spread out the roots evenly and replace the
soil, firming it down with your foot.
Taking Care of Gooseberry Bushes
Gooseberry bushes are relatively simple to care for, each of
their needs is dealt with below.
Watering and Feeding
Gooseberry bushes need the soil to be kept moist, especially
when the fruit is being formed. In dry periods during June to
August, water them to keep the soil moist.
Put a layer of organic material to act as a mulch around (but
not touching) the main stem each Spring. Where no organic
material is available, incorporate a couple of handfuls into the
top soil around the bush and cover the soil with bark chipping
or similar to prevent the growth of weeds. A couple of handfuls
of bonemeal applied again September should be all that is
needed.
Bird Protection
Some birds are notorious for pecking out the young fruits in
mid-May time, and then coming back for more in July to eat the
almost ripened fruits. It's a matter of luck if you suffer from
this nuisance. One solution is to wind coloured cotton thread
round the branches which will deter the birds to some degree.
The best protection however undoubtedly comes from a fruit cage.
Not only will it protect your gooseberries but the larger ones
will protect most of your fruit plants from bird, squirrel,
rabbit and most other large pests. Click here to see a range of
excellent quality and good value walk-in, heavy duty steel fruit
cages.
#Post#: 269--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gooseberry!!!
DIR By: Hummingbird
Date: August 16, 2012, 10:15 am
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Pruning
Prune the bushes in February each year. Keep the centre of the
bush clear of most growth by cutting out any weak or dead
branches. On the outside of the bush, young growth should be
left untouched, older and longer side shoots should be cut back
to within 2cm (1 inch) of their base. The aim is to achieve a
wine glass shape with the centre of the bush reasonably clear of
growth.
Harvesting Your Gooseberries
Most varieties of Gooseberry bush produce both cooking and
eating gooseberries - those for cooking being harvested earlier
than those for eating.
In order to encourage the best berries, pick about 10% of the
fruit in mid-May time when they are pea-sized, these can be used
for cooking. This will encourage the remaining fruits to become
larger.
When the gooseberries look ready for harvest in July time, first
pick those fruits which are shaded at the bottom and in the
middle of the bush - these will be the first to stop improving.
Leave the fruits on the outer edges of the bush to be picked a
week or so later.
Pests and Diseases
Gooseberry bushes grown in the UK are remarkably free from pests
and diseases. They are on occasions attacked by Gooseberry
Sawfly caterpillars which are capable of stripping the plant of
all foliage. A soon as foliage damage is noticed. examine the
plant for caterpillars and pick them off by hand. If the numbers
of caterpillars are large, spray with derris (available at
almost all garden centres).
The biggest pest is birds, sparrows in particular. Coloured
cotton wound round the plant at strategic places will go some
way to prevent the birds getting at the fruit. Most garden
centres have bird-repellant sprays - ask at your garden centre
which is best for your area.
#Post#: 994--------------------------------------------------
Re: Gooseberry!!!
DIR By: Hummingbird
Date: September 15, 2012, 9:45 am
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GOOSEBERRY STACK CAKE
4 c. Missouri gooseberries
2 c. sugar
2 tbsp. flour or 4 tbsp. tapioca
2 tbsp. butter
Pour enough water to nearly cover berries. Bring gooseberries to
a boil. Slowly add sugar and flour that has been combined. Stir
gently until thickened. Remove from heat. Add butter and set
aside until cool. Bake 3 (9 inch) rounds of pie crust. Layer
baked crusts with gooseberry filling and top with whipped cream.
GOOSEBERRY CRUNCH
1 c. flour
3/4 c. oatmeal
1 c. packed brown sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 c. margarine
GOOSEBERRIES:
4 c. fresh or frozen gooseberries
SYRUP:
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
2 tbsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. vanilla
Melt margarine; pour over dry ingredients. Mix and boil until
clear (thick); add vanilla after boiling. Pour 1/2 crumb mix in
bottom of baking dish; add gooseberries. Add rest of crumbs on
top. Bake at 350 for 50 minutes.
GRILLED MACKEREL WITH GOOSEBERRY SAUCE
4 cleaned & filleted mackerel
1 tbsp. butter
Salt & pepper
FOR THE STUFFING:
4 heaping tbsp. bread crumbs
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 egg yolks
Grated peel of 1 lemon
Pinch of nutmeg
Salt & pepper
FOR THE SAUCE:
1/2 lb. gooseberries
1/2 c. water
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. chopped fennel
Mix all the stuffing ingredients together and put it inside the
mackerel, then fold over and secure. Rub a little softened
butter over, and broil (grill) gently on both sides until the
fish is done. Cook the gooseberries in water with all other
ingredients. Do not let them overcook, but just burst open.
Serve hot. The same sauce was also served with mackerel which
has been poached in water, salt and lemon juice. Herrings can be
cooked in the same way.
SUGAR-FREE GOOSEBERRY SALAD
2 c. raw gooseberries
2/3 c. fructose
1 1/2 c. water
1 c. diced celery
1 c. grated cheese
1 pkg. sugar-free lemon Jello
1 pkg. sugar-free lime Jello
2 c. boiling water
1/2 c. nuts
Cook the gooseberries with fructose and water until done. Set
aside to cool. Dissolve Jello in boiling water. Set aside to
cool. When berry mixture is cool, add to the Jello. Then add the
celery, nuts and cheese. You can use more cheese to your taste.
MINCE MEAT
10 lb. lean fresh pork2 (16 oz.) cans crushed pineapple
1 qt. blueberries
2 boxes currants
6 boxes raisins, ground
1 qt. gooseberries
3 cans sour cherries
1 qt. pitted plums
1 qt. rhubarb
1 lb. sugar
1 c. vinegar
Cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
1 tbsp. salt
Cook, cool, grind. Measure ground pork, add twice as many diced
fresh apples as pork. Add: Mix well. Pack in jars and process 1
hour in open kettle.
MINCE MEAT
12 oz. raisins
10 oz. currents
4 c. gooseberries, 2 (15 oz.) cans
22 med. apples, chopped fine
1 1/4 lbs. cooked lean pork (ground)
1 1/2 lbs. uncooked ground beef
6 c. sugar
3/4 c. cider vinegar
3/4 c. water
2 tbsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. ground cloves
2 tsp. salt
3 heaping tbsp. instant coffee
Mix all ingredients together. Cook until right thickness for
pies. Cool. Put in quart freezer containers. Freeze. Makes 5 or
6 quarts.
MIXED BERRY PIE
Unbaked 9" double crust
FILLING:
2 c. canned or frozen blackberries, thawed & drained
1 1/2 c. canned or frozen blueberries, thawed & drained
1/2 c. canned gooseberries, drained
1/8 tsp. almond extract
1/4 c. sugar
3 tbsp. cornstarch
Heat oven to 425 degrees. For filling, combine blackberries,
blueberries and gooseberries in large bowl. Add almond extract,
sugar and cornstarch. Stir thoroughly. Spoon filling into
unbaked pie crust. Cover with top crust. Flute. Cut slits or
prick with fork for steam to escape. Bake for 40 minutes or
until crust is golden brown. Cool to room temperature.
GOOSEBERRY & RAISIN PIE
2 c. stemmed gooseberries
1 c. sm. puffed seeded raisins
1/2 c. water
1 c. sugar
Sprinkling of cinnamon
1/4 tsp. salt
Sm. lump of butter
2 tbsp. cornstarch
Cook the gooseberries and raisins in the half cup of water for
about 10 minutes, add the juice from half a lemon, the butter,
and salt. Add the sugar, which has been well mixed with the
cornstarch, to the hot fruit, and cook, stirring constantly
until clear and thickened. Cook, and fill a previously baked
pastry shell. Serve with plain or sweetened whipped cream or
cover with a mixture made by using 3 tablespoons of butter, 4
tablespoons of sugar and 3 level tablespoons of flour. Add 1 cup
of any desired chopped nuts and mix well. Spread over pie and
run under flame to brown lightly.
GOOSEBERRY PIE
3 c. gooseberries
2 tbsp. quick tapioca
1 to 2 c. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tbsp. butter or margarine, melted
Pastry for 2 crust pie
Remove stems and blossom ends. Wash and drain fruit. To berries
add tapioca, sugar, salt and butter and let stand 15 to 20
minutes. Line pan with 1 crust. Fill with berry mixture. Put on
top crust. Moisten the edges with water and press edges
together. Make slit on top crust. Bake in hot oven at 450
degrees 10 minutes. Decrease temperature to 350 degrees and bake
for 30 minutes.
GOOSEBERRY MERINGUE PIE
2 c. gooseberries
1/2 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. flour
1/8 tsp. salt
1 (9 inch) baked pastry shell
2 egg whites, beaten stiff
4 tbsp. sugar
Cook gooseberries in water until tender. Mix 1 cup sugar, flour
and salt; add to gooseberries, cook until thick; cool; pour into
baked shell. Spread with meringue made of egg whites and sugar.
Bake in 350 degree oven 12 to 15 minutes
GOOSEBERRY SALAD
1 c. raw gooseberries
1 c. water
1/3 c. sugar
1 c. cold water
1 pkg. (3 oz.) lemon Jello
2 apples, diced
1/2 c. celery, diced
Cook gooseberries in 1 cup water until they pop open. Add and
dissolve well 1/3 cup sugar. Add 1 cup cold water and lemon
Jello. Stir to dissolve in boiling fruit. Cool and partially
set. Add apples and celery. Let finish setting and serve as
salad with beef or chicken.
GOOSEBERRY-BANANA SALAD
1 c. sugar
1 pt. gooseberries, drained
1 pkg. lemon gelatin
3 bananas
1 pt. boiling water
1/2 c. nuts
1 c. marshmallows, cut finely
Dash of salt
Add sugar to gooseberries; heat slowly and stir until sugar
dissolves. Cool. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Chill until
it starts to gel. Combine all ingredients. Chill until firm.
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