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nafex - Re: [NAFEX] Gooseberries for TN?

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  • From: "Kieran &/or Donna" <holycow@frontiernet.net>
  • To: "North American Fruit Explorers" <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [NAFEX] Gooseberries for TN?
  • Date: Sun, 4 Oct 2009 23:08:11 -0500

Bill,
I'm not sure about eating gooseberries raw, the only ones I have ever tasted are the few I've picked from my Pixwell plant, and they were sure not impressive that way. My husband has never mentioned raw gooseberries, mostly he's talked about them in pies. So though I definitely want gooseberries to cook with, I'd also like to grow one or two that are considered good for desert, just so I can find out what they taste like.
I note Alan said that they ripen the same time as sweet cherries, which means very early. I like that idea, and though I too would prefer to eat sweet cherries, they crop poorly for me and the birds eat them anyway. They are WAY to big to net, whereas it appears that most of the gooseberries are small enough there is some possibility of keeping the birds off them. I suppose I'd have to have chicken wire or something to keep any netting from getting hung on the bushes. I have a friend who has made little hoops about 4' high and covered with netting to keep deer out of at least part of her garden. Hmmm... maybe I should figure out a way to do this with the blueberries while awaiting my gooseberry harvest.
I've gone back to an earlier gooseberry discussion as well, and feel like I now know a lot more about what should or shouldn't do for me. I think I'll try too many (as usual) and see what does best. I feel like they are one plant at least that will appreciate the fact that our place runs about 4 degrees cooler than the surrounding area, summer and winter.
And no Richard, I don't enjoy enjoy documenting my frustrations, I do that out of duty to help others. I would much rather be boasting about my successes! The trouble with fruit successes though, is that by the time one arrives, I am overwhelmed by the generosity of the tree. I forget the umpteen buckets of water I've brought it and the long grudging wait for it to grow and get past adolescence.
Thank you all for telling me so much about your experiences. Donna TN Z6




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