ali-s Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 How can I tell if gooseberries are ripe enough to pick? I tried one at the weekend and it was sour so I wasn't sure if I should harvest them or not I'm not sure of the variety as it was here when we moved. The bush looks ancient and I have never pruned it. I have noticed that something has started to strip the leaves so I would like to harvest the fruit sooner rather than later. Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickencam Posted June 20, 2011 Share Posted June 20, 2011 It depends if it a dessert or cooking variety, the dessert ones ripen to soft redish sweetish fruits, the others are better harvested whilst still firm and then made into what ever you fancy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted June 21, 2011 Author Share Posted June 21, 2011 Thanks for the reply. They are a greeny, yellow colour. I think I will pick some and turn them into jam within the next couple of days. OH can be the guinea pig and try the finished product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted June 21, 2011 Share Posted June 21, 2011 Sounds like they might be a cooking variety. I made jam with mine yesterday, first time and they go a lovely red when cooked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali-s Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Idecided to leave the fruit on the bush for another week or so after looking at a website for a local PYO fruit farm. Their Gooseberries won't be ready for picking until the last week of June/ first week of July, so I will start to harvest at the same time. The growing season is later up here by at least a month so I never trust advice given out in gardening books and magazines Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fluffy chick Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 We picked ours a couple of weeks ago, they were green and sour but made lovely jam and crumble! Apparently you need to pick the green ones to encourage red ones to grow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
