In the Garden
Ralph Purkhiser, Purdue University Master Gardener
Plentiful rain has resulted in lush growth of most plants. It seems on fair days, I have to spend most of my time mowing and weeding, and I never seem to get finished. The plants that are in the ground seems to be off to a good start, but the problem is that I have a lot of things still waiting to be planted. It seems about the time the soil is dry enough to work, we get another round of showers and the delays in planting continue.
I have many plants lining the walkways, waiting to be added to the garden. Among those plants are three gooseberry bushes—two of the Pixwell variety and one red-fruited unnamed cultivar. I have a large gooseberry bush already in the garden, but it has not produced well, and I am hoping that the addition of the new cultivars will result in better fruit-set for all of the plants.
I have often wondered why these fruits and their bushes are called gooseberries. Since I could not work in the garden during the rainy periods, I have done some research. However, searching my extensive horticulture library and the information on the internet has not resulted in a definitive answer. Most sources seem to think the British name of gooseberry is a mis-translation of a Danish or German word. However, I did learn that the French word for the berry actually translates to mackerel berry, and the berries are used to make a sauce served with mackerel. Since goose is a traditional holiday feast food in Britain, there is at least some credence to the possibility that the British once used the berries to make a tart, acidic sauce to serve with the greasy meat of the goose.
Regardless of the name origin, the gooseberry has been consumed around the world for centuries. India is the top producer and consumer of gooseberries, but the type of gooseberry found in southern Asia is quite different from the types found in northern Europe and in North America. European gooseberries do best in colder climates. In fact, they grow right up to the Arctic Circle. American gooseberries also need cold weather to produce fruit, and most of the commercially-available plants are hybrids of American and European types. Gooseberries are in the genus Ribes, which also includes currants.
In the early 1900’s, the federal government banned the planting of gooseberries and currants. They are alternate host plants for the white pine blister rust, which was threatening the lumber industry. Later, the federal ban was lifted, but states where white pines are native have instituted their own restrictions. Maine, where white pine forests are threatened by the blister rust, continues to ban gooseberries and currants.
While white pines have been introduced to Hoosier forests, they have not proven to be a good fit for the state, and gooseberries and currants are good crops and do well here. Gooseberries will grow in most soil types, but the presence of too much nitrogen may result in lush leaf production and poor fruiting. They will grow in sun or dappled shade.
Gooseberries are low in calories and high in fiber, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. The tart berries may be harvested as immature fruits, but get sweeter as they mature. They are often paired with other fruits in pies, jams and other desserts. The berries aid with controlling blood pressure and cholesterol and may help stabilize blood sugar.
One of the treats of my childhood was mom’s cold-bread gooseberry cobbler, made with left-over biscuits as the crust, covered with a sauce of gooseberries, sugar and spices. It is especially good with a dip of ice cream on top.