Learning how to prune gooseberries in spring

Tell me how to prune gooseberries in the spring? About three years ago we bought two varieties, with pink and yellow berries. The seedlings have taken root well, but during this time the bushes have become very dense. Maybe it's because they grew up on their own? It was a pity to touch, but now I see that it is in vain - the berries simply cannot be reached in the depths. How to shape and trim plants?

Gooseberry is one of those shrubs that can grow on the site for more than 2 decades due to its good growth rate. It quickly and annually forms more and more new shoots, spreading out in width. From the outside, such a green ball looks beautiful, but you will not be full of beauty alone, because gooseberries are grown for the sake of sweet and sour berries. A thickened bush loses its ability to bear fruit. Every year the berries become less and less, and they themselves are getting smaller. To prevent this, every gardener must control the development of the bush, primarily through competent pruning. Knowing how to prune gooseberries in the spring (and this is the right time), you can extend the life of the plant and preserve productivity.

General rules for spring pruning gooseberries

Like other fruit and berry crops, in early spring, gooseberries are subject to testing for the quality of wintering. All shoots that are frozen or broken under the weight of the snow cover must be removed. Twigs are also cut out, growing deeper into the crown and towards the soil. If the latter take root, then instead of one bush, you get several plants in one place. Naturally, they will interfere with each other, preventing the access of air and light.

It is worth paying attention to how the cut will be made. It should be slightly taller than the bud, which grows on the outside of the crown. If you cut it over the inner bud, the twig that emerged from the cut will remain to grow inside the bush. Of course, it will have to be cut out in the future.

It is important to have time to cut the gooseberries before the buds begin to open on the shoots (this is about the beginning of March). Otherwise, the plant will start to hurt, which will also negatively affect the yield. Better to skip than cut late - catching up will be possible in the fall.

The maximum age of a gooseberry shoot for abundant fruiting is 8 years. Then every year there will be fewer berries on it. Periodically, the bush should be rejuvenated by cutting out old branches and replacing them with young ones. Only not at one time, but gradually removing 1/3 every year.

How to prune gooseberries in spring - requirements for the formation of a bush by years

The shape of the bush is set even during the spring planting. Then the shoot of the seedling is greatly shortened, leaving no more than 4 buds. If there are several branches, you need to leave no more than 4 of the strongest ones. In the future, it will only be necessary to regulate the density of the gooseberry crown, giving it a comfortable shape and replacing the shoots, namely:

1. In the second year of life, last year's branches are shortened by 1/3, and up to 4 new shoots more than 20 cm long are left from the current growth.Total is obtained in 2 years - 8 branches.
2. In the third year, the old shoots are again shortened and up to 4 new ones are left, removing the rest of the growth. It turns out already 12 branches.
3. In a four-year-old gooseberry, the pruning scheme remains the same: the old 12 branches are shortened, 4 are left from the young. In addition, the shoots are completely cut out at the root collar.
4. For the 5th year of life, the crown of the gooseberry should consist of 18-20 branches, different in age.
5. From the age of 6, they gradually begin to replace, completely cutting out no more than a third of the old branches during the season.

So, gradually switching to a young growth, you can maintain the fruiting of gooseberries for many years.

Spring Gooseberry Pruning Video