I've heard that red goosberries are delicious. Does anybody know if I can get them here (in the Okanagan), and if they will grow successfully here?
The gooseberry I grow has green fruit,which turns red when ripe.The berries do have a nice tast, and I have six quarts in the refrigerator right now. Here is the information (pictures). I got mine from a friends garden, but a shoot can be propagated, which will take probably two years before production. It is probably best to buy a pot from a nursury or have them order one. American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum) http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?NICUK 14 June 2008 American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum) This American Gooseberry bush was planted in the Spring of 2005. In 2006 after fruiting the foliage was attacked by a fungus (Downey Mildew) which devastated the leaves, but apparently had no lasting harmful effects. Since then, when watering, I avoid wetting the foliage. The berries are sweet about 1.5 cm in diameter with a tart tang, which varies with the degree of ripeness. I mix them with my raspberries and eat as a fruit dish with cream or milk or, sometimes simply put in the blender and make juice with other fruits. http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XMEGS 1 August 2008 American Gooseberry (Ribes hirtellum) First picking of the fruit. There will be another picking when the remaining berries ripen. The berries of this type always have a slight tart flavour, from the skin. http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?GKJRM 2 August Comparing Berries of European and American Gooseberry The American type changes colour from green to reddish, and the European stays green, when ripe. The European has no tart flavour, and is very pleasant to eat raw. The caption is slightly incorect, both cultivars have thorns.
