By the third year after planting, the bush will have established its core framework with an even distribution of stems aged between 1 and 3 years. As the plant ages, you’ll want to cut away stems more than 3 years old each year. [3] X Research source Remove any shoots leading to the center of the plant and shorten any crossing or downward-facing leaders to about 5 to 8 centimetres (2. 0 to 3. 1 in). [4] X Research source
You may wish to delay pruning until after the buds open, because the thorny thicket of an unpruned bush will be more of a deterrent to birds that feed on buds. [7] X Research source Prune hard where the bush is growing weakest; it will respond in the spring and summer with stronger growth. [8] X Research source You may wish to wear gloves to protect yourself from the plant’s vicious thorns![9] X Research source Regular pruning shears are sufficient for most gooseberry pruning, but you may need a pair of loppers for old wood and larger, mature branches. [10] X Research source
Diseased wood is marked by broken bark and rough, raised areas. Sterilize your pruning shears if you have been cutting diseased wood to avoid infecting other plants. Dead wood is brittle and has no buds. Damaged branches are missing bark where they have rubbed other branches. [15] X Research source
Older branches are thicker, darker in color, and may have slightly peeling bark. Gooseberry is typically grown as a “stool,” a bunch of stems arising from the ground, with old shoots regularly cut to the base. [17] X Research source
Make the cut above the bud at a slant to channel water away and avoid rotting the bud. [19] X Research source Don’t cut too close to the bud, or it may die. Trim the side shoot to 2 buds if you want larger berries. [20] X Research source
The natural tendency of the gooseberry is to be a bit sprawling and droopy; you want to counteract that. [22] X Research source Cutting vertical growth will promote lateral growth. [23] X Research source
Beware, an unpruned, tangled gooseberry bush is the perfect nesting place for pesky sawfly and caterpillars![25] X Research source
