Captivator gooseberry Planting Instructions
Planting Captivator gooseberry from small 2.5 inch pots into the ground:
- Pick a sunny spot with well drained soil. Space plants about 3 to 5 feet apart.
- Water the 2.5 inch pot first.
- Dig a hole about twice as wide as the pot, and about the same depth.
- Slide the plant out. If roots are wrapped around, gently loosen them.
- Set the plant in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the ground. Fill the hole back in with the same soil.
- Water slowly and thoroughly.
- Add 2 to 3 inches of mulch, but keep mulch a couple inches away from the stem.
- For the next 2 to 3 weeks, keep the soil lightly moist. After that, water deeply about once a week if it is not raining.
Description
Captivator gooseberry is a cold-hardy gooseberry shrub known for heavy yields and a more picker-friendly plant compared to many older gooseberry types. It’s often described as having fewer thorns than typical gooseberries, which helps when harvesting. The berries ripen in mid to late summer and are usually pink to red when mature, with a sweet-tart flavor that works well for fresh eating when fully ripe, plus jams, pies, sauces, and freezing. The plant stays fairly compact and fits well in backyard rows, edible hedges, or small fruit plantings.
Gooseberries like Captivator prefer full sun for best production, but they can handle partial shade, especially where summers get hot. Aim for well-drained soil with steady moisture, and use mulch to keep the root zone cool and reduce watering swings. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove older wood and open the center for airflow. This keeps the plant productive and makes picking easier.
Quick facts
- Plant type: Deciduous fruiting shrub
- Mature size: Often around 3 to 5 feet tall and wide
- USDA zones: Commonly grown in cooler zones (often listed around Zones 3 to 7)
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Harvest window: Mid to late summer
- Fruit: Pink to red berries, sweet-tart flavor
- Best uses: Fresh (fully ripe), jam, baking, sauces, freezing
