can anyone tell me if gooseberries fruit on old or new growth. can anyone tell me if blackberries fruit on first or second year wood ???
Hi Nelson. You are very welcome to our lovely forums I found the following information on this page http://www.chsw4.org/growingtips_files/page0001.htm and it may be useful to you. Gooseberries The best fruit is on last year's new growth. Bushes should be growing on a single stem with six to eight strong main shoots. All suckers should be removed. All side shoots should be cut back to 1 - 2 inches. Weak side shoots should be removed. Some main shoots should be cut back by half each year. Weak shoots should be removed and the centre of the bush should be kept open; branches should not cross over each other. Blackberries All fruit is on last year's wood. As the season progresses, vigorous new shoots develop from the base (they will fruit next year) and must be tied to the wires separately from the fruiting canes. One method is to have three horizontal wires at say 2.5, 4, and 5.5 feet up. The fruiting canes are tied to the lower two wires; the new canes are taken straight up to the top wire, and are lowered in place after the old fruited wood has been removed in the late autumn. Any weak growth is removed at ground level. Hope this helps you. Why don't you introduce yourself to everyone here http://www.gardenstew.com/viewtopic.php?t=3 By the way I see you are from Wales. I think you are the first Welsh person to grace us with your presence
