Friday, June 11, 2010

Gooseberry Bushes

This is a gooseberry bush. All of the hard to see light green things along the leaves are berries. This plant was at a nursery I love because it's the size of a farm, has a huge selection of plants, and for the most part sells things at wholesale prices. 

Up close they look like little beach balls. Depending on the variety they ripen a pinkish green, shades of red or brown, or very dark red almost black. Taste varies somewhat too. I've read they range from "desert quality" to unpalatable.

One variety I just bought this year is called Pixwell. It's one of the greenish fruiting ones but has a taste in the middle. The skin has been described as leathery. I wouldn't say that ever, mostly because it's a turn off for most people to try the fruit. I would say chewy is more accurate but you're not supposed to chew the skin at all. Bitting into the berry releases the sweet flavor into your mouth but there is a bitter flavor that comes from the skin. Chewing only makes it worse.

The plants I have all decided to flower at 6 inches tall which makes them incredibly easy to grow. So far this is one of the easiest fruits I've grown. I can't wait for next year when I get a bigger harvest.