[tracy d]

I have started to clear my new allotment and have uncovered a huge gooseberry bush, its very big and overgrown, i have been advised to trim it back to about 6 inches off the ground and start again, is this wise or shall i just trim back a little bit please help as i love gooseberries.

[muntjac]

trim it back by a third taking all the thicker wood stems out only    this wil then grow on the new wood and be easier to control next winter

[gobs]

I would disagree on the stump approach. Any chance of a piccie?

But anyhow, it must be old and neglected. Rejuvenating pruning, but that involves patience and even though gooseberries grow like weed, you want to get some fruit though. Easiest common thing is to leave it airy, lose dead and diseased parts, then the crossing ones.

They fruit on one year old wood and older spurs, but also tend to fruit well with neglect, I find, so I really wouldn't chop it down that much.

Don't worry, most importantly, gooseberry will be fine, pruning wrong means you get growth you did not want.

[GreenOwl]

Prune as the others have said and take some cuttings next autumn.  Then if it doesn't fruit you will have some replacement bushes in a couple of years.  If it does fruit you've still got more bushes!  Win, win.  

[tracy d]

thanks a lot i thought that to prune right back was a little harsh,  i'll go over the weekend and prune it i will keep you posted on progress

[Salkeela]

I prune back my gooseberry bushes by removing all branches that are too close to the ground.  (They will break off with heavy fruit in the summer).

I keep the more upright branches, and remove any dead, diseased, old or crossing branches.  I aim to leave say 15-20cm space around each remaining branch.  This gives space for light to get into the bush.  

Not sure if it is right, but it's how I do it.

[tracy d]

it seems to be very dense in the middle then lots of smaller branches coming out but they are thick and spreading out about 3 to 4 feet, thanks for the advice

[mdueal]

Im sure i read somewhere that you are supposed to prune them so they end up like a goblet - ie with a well in the centre? Dont know what the purpose of that is supposed to be. I just prune out anything that is old/unproductive normally and that dictates what shape it ends up.

[Tinbasher]

Im sure i read somewhere that you are supposed to prune them so they end up like a goblet - ie with a well in the centre? Dont know what the purpose of that is supposed to be. I just prune out anything that is old/unproductive normally and that dictates what shape it ends up.

It's so that the centre of the bush is kept free and well-aired.  Gooseberries are prone to mildew infections so a well-ventilated plant is the desired form.

Try to prune bushes to buds that will induce a shoot upwards and outwards.

[tracy d]

thanks you guys and gals that was really helpfull  

[londongardener]

In case it is not mildew resistant read this

http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=127746#127746