When to plant gooseberries in Ellensburg, WA

Plant gooseberry bushes in Ellensburg Apr 1 – May 27.

Easy Plant bare-root or potted bushes

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

Ellensburg's typical last spring frost is April 28. As a hardy perennial, this crop doesn't need to wait for that date. In the Inland Northwest, though, the soil usually isn't ready to work until about April 1.

Inland Northwest. Higher, colder interior valleys. Cold springs and an earlier fall mean a shorter season; quick-maturing varieties pay off.

How to grow gooseberries in Ellensburg

Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well, and mix in an inch or two of compost.
Plant gooseberry bushes Apr 1 – May 27, 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 Ellensburg, WA?

Typically April 28. In 9 years out of 10, frost is over by May 12. These are 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for Ellensburg Bowers Field.

Is it too late to plant gooseberries in Ellensburg?

The spring planting window runs through May 27. 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 Ellensburg around the same time

Planting dates for gooseberries in nearby areas

Yakima, WA Mar 27 – May 22
Tri-Cities (Pasco, Kennewick, Richland), WA Mar 20 – May 15
Walla Walla, WA Mar 20 – May 15
Moses Lake, WA Mar 20 – May 15
Ephrata and Quincy, WA Mar 20 – May 15
Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser, WA Mar 20 – May 15

Full planting calendar for Ellensburg · Gooseberries in every city