When gooseberries ripen in the Moscow region and how to determine the ripeness of berries

Goose berry, fat man, northern grapes, Russian cherry plum - this is how gooseberries are called in different countries of the world. This plant has earned popular love due to its decorativeness, unpretentiousness, variety of varieties and high yield. A variety of dishes and drinks are prepared from aromatic and tasty berries: marmalade, sauces, compotes, pies, wine, marinades, salads, confitures, and preserves.

To enjoy the taste of gooseberries, it is important to know the moment of their ripening and to be able to determine what ripeness is required to prepare different dishes. Consider when gooseberries ripen in the Moscow region and when to pick them for jam.

When gooseberries ripen in the Moscow region

In the Moscow Region, gooseberries ripen around mid-July. However, due to weather conditions, the dates may shift by several weeks:

• hot and dry weather (with sufficient watering) - the first decade of July;
• cool and rainy weather - closer to August.

The southern regions are the first to open the gooseberry season. In conditions of abundant sunshine and hot days, the berries begin to sing by early July. In Siberia and the Urals, the harvest takes place in late July or early August.

The life span of a shrub depends on the region. Long-lived bushes grow in the middle lane, in the southern regions the plants retain their yield for no more than 10 years.

What determines the ripening period

The ripening period of gooseberries in any region depends not only on the weather, but also on other factors:

• the right place for planting shrubs with suitable soil, lighting and protection from drafts;
• regular sanitation trimming: shrubs actively grow root shoots, become thickened, overgrown shoots shade each other and berries;
• timely watering, especially in the heat;
• fertilization: it is better to feed it with organic compounds in the spring, so that the culture actively increases its leaf mass and gains strength for flowering.

The timing of when the gooseberry ripens depends on the variety. Shrubs, like many fruit crops, are of ripeness time:

• early ripe (Spring, White Nights) - ripen in the second decade of July;
• mid-season (Flamingo, Russian) - ripen by mid-July;
• late ripening (Severyanin, Candy) - ripen in the first half of August in the southern regions, in the second half - in the middle lane.

With the right approach to cultivation, the berries ripen from July to September.

Read also:

An unpretentious gooseberry variety "Yarovaya"

Sweet, frost-resistant gooseberry "English Yellow"

Sweet and juicy gooseberry variety Yubilyar

How to determine the ripeness of berries

There are 2 stages of berry ripeness: technical and consumer... At technical maturity, the berries almost reach the size indicated by the breeder. The color of the fruit is usually slightly lighter than that of a mature fruit. The berry is detached from the stalk with little effort. The skin is thick and firm. The pulp is also firm. Taste with pronounced sourness.

Reference. Technically mature gooseberries are used in cooking for the preparation of marinades, boiling, compotes. The fruits of consumer maturity are consumed fresh.

With consumer maturity, the berries acquire rich colors: depending on the variety, they become yellow, red, burgundy, purple. Easily detach from the stalk. The thin skin and juicy flesh give the impression that the fruits are visible in the sun. They are soft, sweet in taste.

When to pick gooseberries for jam

To make jam, gooseberries are required at the stage of technical maturity. From unripe fruits, the most delicious preservation for the winter is obtained. It is the dense berries in the sweet syrup that retain their shape, become transparent and acquire a beautiful amber color.

Reference.Under favorable weather conditions, berries in the Moscow region are harvested in the first half of July.

When collecting fruits, it is important to adhere to some rules:

• wear tight clothing and gloves to protect yourself from injury from sharp thorns if the variety is not studless;
• harvest in dry weather, after the dew has dried;
• pluck the fruits with the stalks, and tear them off before use.

It is advisable to dry wet berries so that they are stored longer.

Harvest in several ways:

1. Manually. More laborious, but the most gentle method, since neither the crop nor the plant is injured.
2. A plastic bottle. A hole is made on one side, near the bottom, and the bottle itself is attached to a stick. When picking, the berries are placed in the hole and plucked from the bush with a slight movement. This almost eliminates the likelihood of being injured by thorns, but the method requires some skill.
3. Comb. The device is a small comb with an attached finger ring. It is put on a finger and carried along the raised branches of a bush. The method facilitates collection, but does not protect the hands from injury.
4. Berry collector, which looks like a plastic container with prongs. They are guided along the raised branches, the prongs break the stalks, and the berries fall into the container. The method is suitable for the simultaneous collection of fruits.

Harvested gooseberries at the stage of technical maturity are stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Read also:

Timing and technology for pruning gooseberry bushes

Why gooseberries turn yellow and dry in summer

Conclusion

The gooseberry is distinguished by its unpretentiousness and high yield. Has 2 degrees of maturity: technical and consumer. The first is required for the preparation of various dishes, the second - for the use of fresh berries.

In the Moscow region, under favorable conditions, the fruits ripen in mid-July (the stage of consumer maturity). However, the dates in cool or hot weather are shifted by several weeks. The fruits reach technical maturity in the first half of July.