Rainline Garden
When to plant gooseberries in Burns, OR
Plant gooseberry bushes in Burns Apr 30 – Jun 25.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Sun
- Full sun to part shade
- Spacing
- 4 to 5 feet apart
- Planting depth
- An inch or two deeper than in the pot
- Frost
- Hardy perennial; comes back every year
- First harvest
- A small crop in year two; full crops from year three
Why these dates
Burns's typical last spring frost is June 11. As a hardy perennial, this crop can go in about 6 weeks before that.
High desert and mountains. Central and high eastern Oregon. Frost is possible almost any month. Use row covers, wall-o-water or cloches for warm crops, and choose short-season varieties.
How to grow gooseberries in Burns
- Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
- Plant gooseberry bushes Apr 30 – Jun 25, 4 to 5 feet apart. An inch or two deeper than in the pot.
- Prune in late winter to open the center of the bush and remove stems older than three years. Thick gloves help.
- Harvest: Pick green for cooking when the berries are full-sized but firm, or leave them a few weeks to soften and sweeten for eating fresh.
Key numbers
- Full sun to part shadeSun
- 6.0–7.0Soil pH
- 15–20 yearsProductive life
- Powdery mildewBiggest risk
Growing notes
What makes the difference in Northwest gardens, in plain language.
Green, red and dessert gooseberries
Gooseberries ripen from early to midsummer. Picked green and firm, they're tart and perfect for pies, sauces and jam. Left to ripen, many turn red, yellow or purple and get sweet enough to eat fresh. They're compact, very hardy bushes that do well in cool summers.
Mildew and currantworm
Powdery mildew is the main disease: a white, felty coating on leaves and fruit. Plant mildew-resistant varieties like Invicta, Hinnonmaki Red or Captivator, keep the center of the bush open and avoid heavy nitrogen feeding.
In spring, imported currantworm larvae can strip leaves fast. Check the undersides of lower leaves from April and pick them off or spray with spinosad.
Pruning
Gooseberries fruit on one- to three-year-old wood. In late winter, remove stems older than three years and any that cross or crowd the center. Pruning to an open, goblet shape improves airflow (fewer disease problems) and makes the thorny bush easier to pick.
Common questions
When is the last frost in Burns, OR?
Typically June 11. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by June 28. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Burns Municipal Airport.
Is it too late to plant gooseberries in Burns?
The spring planting window runs through June 25. Potted plants can still go in later if you water them faithfully through their first summer.
How long until I can pick gooseberries?
A small crop in year two; full crops from year three. Pick green for cooking when the berries are full-sized but firm, or leave them a few weeks to soften and sweeten for eating fresh.
When are gooseberries ripe?
For cooking, pick when full-sized but still firm. For eating fresh, wait until they soften slightly and reach full color.
Are there thornless gooseberries?
Captivator is nearly thornless. Most other varieties have thorns, so wear thick gloves.
Can gooseberries spread white pine blister rust?
They can host it, though less readily than black currants. Rust-resistant varieties reduce the risk.
Also plant in Burns around the same time
Peas
Radishes
Spinach
Lettuce
Onions
Carrots
Beets
KalePlanting dates for gooseberries in nearby areas
- Bend and Redmond, OR Apr 28 – Jun 23
- Klamath Falls, OR Apr 28 – Jun 23
- Prineville, OR Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Madras, OR Apr 20 – Jun 15
- Lakeview, OR Apr 23 – Jun 18
- Baker City, OR Apr 20 – Jun 15
Full planting calendar for Burns · Gooseberries in every city