The main steps for caring for gooseberries in the spring after winter for a good harvest

Gooseberry is a highly productive berry crop, which begins to yield crops already for 2-3 years. Fruiting lasts a long time - 20-30 years, but for this the plant needs suitable conditions. Thorough care is required not only during the period of fruit formation, but also throughout the season, especially in early spring. How to plant and care for gooseberries after a long grueling winter, we will tell in this article.

What care gooseberries need in spring after winter

Spring activities for the care of gooseberries will provide the owner with a bountiful harvest of sweet and large fruits. If you don't pay enough attention to the shrub, it will turn into a weed that will only clog other plants.

What does he need

The complex of spring procedures includes the timely removal of the shelter, watering, loosening, mulching, fertilizing, prevention diseases and cropping. If necessary, a transplant is carried out.

Dates of spring procedures

Unlike most fruit crops, gooseberries are one of the first to wake up from hibernation. Already at the end of April, small leaves are visible on it.

Plant care begins with the arrival of the first spring heat, almost immediately after the snow cover melts. All work is performed as soon as possible, before sap flow begins and the kidneys begin to swell.

Essential spring activities for a good harvest

At an air temperature of + 5 ° C, experienced gardeners begin their spring activities.

Removing winter shelter from gooseberry bushes

In the northern regions, where the climate is unstable, the shelter is removed in the second half of March gradually and layer by layer. First, agrofibre, polyethylene, spandbond, etc. are removed, after 7-10 days, branches or spruce branches are thrown back. The final stage is cleaning the trunk circle.

In the central and southern regions, events begin as soon as the snow melts. Last year's leaves, plant residues, mulch, which in winter served not only as a heater, but also became an excellent wintering place for the larvae of harmful insects and fungal spores, are raked around the bush. All organic waste is taken off-site and burned.

Reference. It is important to remove the insulation in a timely manner to prevent the decay process. In addition, open soil is warmed up faster by the sun's rays.

After removing the winter shelter, it is recommended to observe the weather in order to return it in case of recurrent frosts and protect the kidneys from freezing.

Pruning

Gooseberries grow very quickly. Young branches grow actively, forming impassable thickets between themselves. On neglected and unkempt plants, the berries are small and their number is minimal. Ovaries do not form because pollination is difficult. Over time, the plants cease to bear fruit altogether. If not pruned, the plant becomes more susceptible to fungal diseases and pests.

Pruning in the spring is considered preventive, since the main formation of the crown is carried out in the fall.

In the first half of March they cut:

• dry, frozen or partially frozen branches (to living tissue);
• shoots damaged by fungal diseases or harmful insects;
• twisted, frail and thin branches;
• shoots at the root;
• shoots thickening the bush: horizontal, rubbing against each other and crossing;
• too close to the ground or branches lying on it.

As a result of pruning, 4-5 of the strongest shoots are left, which are aligned in length. In this form, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients and a sufficient amount of sunlight. Air circulates better in an unsealed crown - there is less chance of developing fungal diseases.

Attention! Too thickened plants grow small berries. A well-groomed shrub produces large, juicy fruits.

Loosening

The soil under the gooseberry bushes is loosened to a depth of 5-7 cm. The soil is dug between the rows by about 15 cm. The purpose of the event is to improve the access of air, moisture and nutrition to the plant roots. So that the weed does not take nutrients from the berry bush, it is pulled out by hand and preferably with roots.

Reference. Loosening is often combined with top dressing.

Watering

After the snow melts, the soil is well moistened, so there is no need for watering at first. In the future, gooseberries are poured with water, the temperature of which coincides with the air temperature, in the morning or evening hours.

To prevent the water from spreading, a furrow is made in the near-trunk circle. The event is held once a week, pouring 3-4 buckets of water under each adult bush. During the flowering period, the volume of water for irrigation is increased to 4-5 buckets.

Feeding

Top dressing is an important event due to which the yield of fruit crops increases. With proper planting with a full-fledged filling of the planting pit with nutrients, the gooseberries are fed only after 2-3 years.

In early spring, fertilizers are laid according to the following scheme:

1. The first time in April, during the period of swelling of the kidneys. If the plant is young, nitrogen substances are introduced to build up green mass - 40-60 g per bush. The granules are embedded in the soil together with the ash.
2. An adult crop is fertilized with better quality - organic and mineral substances. For one bush, prepare two buckets of nutrient mixture. In one dissolve 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of potassium and 10 g of urea. In the other - 1 kg of bird droppings or slurry, which is also diluted with water.
3. The second feeding is carried out during flowering. To do this, mix 5 kg of rotted manure, 20 g of potash fertilizer, 5 kg of humus.
4. The third time the plant is fed after flowering, pouring mullein infusion. Fertilizer is mixed with water in a 1: 5 ratio.

Mulching

To do this, use straw, peat, grass cuttings, sawdust or small shavings, crushed tree bark. Mulch prevents weeds from growing and prevents the formation of excess root growth, as well as retains moisture.

Treatment against diseases and pests

Gardeners often use an effective and simple method of processing - pouring hot water, almost boiling water over the shoots from a watering can with a fine-mesh nozzle.

Under the influence of high temperatures, pathogens and pests that hibernated under the bark and in the buds of the plant die. The procedure is carried out in early spring and always with closed kidneys. Hot water is poured not only on the bush, but also on the ground around it.

Gooseberry is a plant with good immunity. But prevention of pests and diseases should not be neglected.

Diseases that sometimes affect gooseberries:

• white spot;
• anthracnose;
• powdery mildew;
• mosaic.

The shrub is also attacked by insects. The most common pest for the berry plant is aphids.

First, they use harmless folk methods of struggle - from a spray bottle they process the plantings with garlic, tobacco, soap-soda, onion infusions.If the funds prove to be ineffective, they switch to more powerful means. For spring processing of gooseberries, biological or chemical preparations are used: "Fitosporin", "Fitoverm", "HOM", "Gaupsin", 1% Bordeaux liquid, 3% solution of copper sulfate.

Transfer

It is believed that autumn is the best time to transplant gooseberries, but this does not mean that bushes cannot be transplanted in spring or summer. It is advisable to do a spring transplant before the start of sap flow and before the buds wake up in the plant.

Procedure:

1. The shrub is pruned.
2. By the diameter of the crown, the plant is dug into the depth of the roots (50-70 cm).
3. Then, using a pitchfork, an earthen lump with a rhizome is pryed off and transferred to a prepared pit (50 × 50 cm), without shaking off the ground.
4. The roots are examined for larvae and spores, the affected areas are sprinkled with ash.
5. The new place is fertilized with humus and watered well.
6. Next, the rhizome is placed in a pit, sprinkled with fertile soil, watered and mulched again.

Features of care depending on the region

Spring work on the care of gooseberries has its own nuances, depending on the climatic characteristics of the region:

1. In the south, events begin from the first days of March.
2. In the middle lane (Moscow region), work begins in 1-2 ten days of March, depending on weather conditions. Plant care consists of ordinary activities without any special features.
3. In the northwest (in the Leningrad region), as well as in the Urals and Siberia, due to the long winter, spring care for gooseberries is carried out in 1-2 half of April and even early May. In the north, recurrent frosts often occur, which ruin flowers. To avoid loss of yield, experienced summer residents recommend monitoring the weather and, if necessary, covering young plants at night.

Different climatic conditions of the regions dictate to gardeners their own rules for growing gooseberries. They choose zoned varieties adapted to growing in a specific area, and in the northern regions they pay attention to frost-resistant gooseberries.

Spring planting of gooseberries

In order for a vending seedling to take root well and soon please with a good harvest, a number of rules are observed.

When and how to plant

In different regions of the country, the planting of crops is started in accordance with the weather conditions of the area. The optimal time is before bud break, while the plant is still sleeping. If a seedling is purchased with a closed root system, i.e. in a container, it can be planted later, even in summer.

When choosing gooseberry seedlings, sick and damaged plants are carefully examined and rejected. Preference is given to biennial bushes (they quickly take root in a new place) and with an open root system, to make it easier to assess the condition of the plant. The gooseberry loves the sun, so it grows well in an open and well-lit place.

Sequence of actions for landing:

1. A young bush is cut off, leaving 4 buds. This will allow the weakened roots to take root faster and provide food for the aerial part of the plant.
2. The seedling is dipped in a 1% solution of potassium permanganate for disinfection.
3. Examine the root, get rid of dry and damaged roots and soak in a growth stimulator.
4. A pit 50 × 50 cm is prepared.
5. Rotted manure (10 kg / bush), wood ash (100 g), double superphosphate (50 g), sulfuric potassium (40 g) are poured into it.
6. Fertilizers are mixed with soil and a hill is formed at the bottom of the planting hole.
7. A seedling is installed on it, the roots are carefully spread and gradually covered with earth, compacting each layer of it. For good tillering, the root collar is deepened by 5-7 cm.
8. Next, a roller is made around the perimeter of the trunk circle with a height of 5-10 cm so that water is retained, watered (10 liters per bush) and mulched.
9. After 3-4 days, the procedure is repeated.

How to grow after planting

Further care for the young shrub is not difficult. It is timely watered, fertilized, loosened and pruned.

Features of growing on a trellis

The trellis method of cultivating gooseberries is becoming more and more popular among gardeners. It cannot be called simple, but with a certain care, the yield of the crop and the period of its fruiting increase significantly.

The trellis is convenient for picking berries and caring for the plantation, provides high quality harvest. The structure consists of wooden posts or metal pipes, between which a wire is stretched in three rows.

How to grow gooseberries on a trellis:

1. Seedlings are planted along the trellis, keeping a distance of at least 1 m.
2. A week after planting, the bushes are pruned: all shoots that grow to the side are removed, only strong, upright growing ones are left and fixed on the wire of the first level. The bush must have at least 4 branches.
3. Every year, as the shoots grow, they are tied to the second and third wires.
4. Young shoots formed near the root collar are removed.

Experienced gardening tips

Experienced summer residents themselves adhere to the rules of planting and caring for gooseberries and give others advice on how not to harm the plant and get a decent harvest.

Mistakes to Avoid

Novice gardeners sometimes make mistakes:

1. Events are carried out with a delay, when the sap flow has already begun and the kidneys began to swell.
2. Pruning is done incorrectly or ignored, trying to keep more shoots in order to increase the yield of the bush. This is a misconception.
3. An excessive amount of fertilizer or no fertilization at all.
4. Do not carry out preventive treatments to protect gooseberries from pests and diseases.
5. The bush is irrigated from above when only root watering is needed.
6. Peat is used as a heater, and it is a breeding ground for pests and their offspring. It is advisable to use it only in regions with severe winters.

It is interesting:

How gooseberries reproduce - all ways

Sweet and juicy gooseberry variety Yubilyar

The sweetest and largest gooseberry: description of varieties

Conclusion

Planting gooseberries in a summer cottage will bring an excellent harvest if the gardener pays attention and makes efforts to care for the crop in spring. Indeed, the further development of the plant depends on the correct implementation of spring procedures - pruning, watering and loosening, fertilizing, treatments for diseases and pests.